
Class r 1 ^ S . 



ADDRESS 

Delivered Wednesday, 28th November, 1866, 

IN FELLER'S HALL, MADALIN, 

TOWNSHIP OF RED HOOK, DUCHESS CO., N. Y., 

BY 

Brevet Maj.-Gen. J. WATTS DE PEYSTEE (S. N. Y.), 

ITFON THE OCCASION OF THE 

INAUGURAIION OF A MONUMENT 

ERECTED BY 

'•THIS IMMEDIATE NEKJHBORHOOD. 

(TI VOLT— MADALIN.) 

TO HER 

I>EFENI3ERS 

WHO LOST THEIK LIVES IN SlIPPRESSINU THE 
SLAVEHOLDERS' REBELLION 
AND IN SUSTAINING THE 

GOVERNMENT 
OF THi-: Pl^OPLlO, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE." 



Tw'i Hundred Copies printed as Manuscript for 
PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION 

BY ORDER OF THE 

" Soldiers' Monument Association." 

>Je> . ,T^S. STAR,Ii CLAR^Ii, Mlaclaliii, 

Pre.siclent Soldiers' Monument Association. 

OILES COOKE, Cooke's Mlills, 

Secretary. 

.T0M:INST0]V LIVIIVOSTON, Esq., Tivoli, 

Chairman of the Inauguration Committee. 



COhlG«f;>^^ 




1867. 



PRAYER AT THE DEDICATION UF THE SOL- 
DIERS' MONUMENT, TIVOLI, NOV. 28, 1866, 
BY REV. G. LEWIS PLATT, A. M., RECTOR OF 
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 



O Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of tlie uni- 
xerse, who hast ordained that man must live in com- 
munities and states, who buildest up kingdoms and 
empires, and puUest down principalities and powers, 
we thank Thee that we are privileged still to live un- 
der the protecting shield of that Government one and 
undivided, that was founded by our forefathers. We 
thank Thee that the example of their noble manhood, 
coupled with onr necessity, has animated so many of 
our fellow-citizens, when that Government was in 
peril, to go forth to battle, that the ble.ssed heritage 
of our free republic might be preserved to us, and 
transmitted to those who come after us. We thank 
Thee that we are permitted to-day to show our regard 
for the citizen-soldier, who answers the call of his 
country, and who, doing his duty manfully, returns to 
live among us, bear ng, in many instances, the iionor- 
able marks of bittle. May we ever respect them for 
their work's sake, and may our hearts ever lie warm 
towards them, and the hand of kindness never be 
turned away from them. Specially we tliank Thee 
that Thou hast put it into our hearts to erect a lasting 
tablet to commeniDrate the noble self-devotion of 
those of our neighborhood and friends who fell in 
this war to preserve the Union. We would fittingly 
honor them to-day ; yet in honoring i hem we do re- 
member that we can but honor ourselves It is 
indeed a privilege to award them the meed of praise.. 
In doing it we lift our ow^ manhood to a higlier level ; 
and we trust and pray that the monument, now in 
fitting words to be dedicated to tln-ir honor may 
stand to tell our children's children a-.d those who 
follow them, who among us nurtured the tree of 
human liberty witii their heart's blood, and who 
hence deserve to be had in lasting remembrance 
Ma}' their gilded names stand in the gaze <if many 
generations ; may their memo'ies be cherished as 
long as liberty, justice and manhood are maintained 
among us, and may the example of their self-devoted- 
ness be repeated, if need be, in the coming years, 
that a people's government may be perpetuated We 
pray Thee, God, heal our land. Give all citizens 
understanding hearts. Bless our rulers Give wis- 
dom to all in authority. Still the turbulence of pas- 
sion, and in Thine own good time, clear away the 
clouds that still hang over our n.itional horizon; nnd 
may all be settled upon the best and surest founda- 
tions, that peace and justice, prosperity and piety 
ma}' henceforth p evail tiiroughout our ooiiutry. 
Hear us from Heaven, Thy dwi'lling-place, and answer 
us in peace. We ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
to whom, with God the Father and God the Holy 
Spirit, be all honor, glory and praise, now and for- 
ever. Ame.n. 



ADDRESS. 



" AV'ho dies in vain 

Upon his country's war-fields and within 
The shadow of her altars ? — 

Feeble heart ! 

I tell thee that the Voice nf Patriot blood, 
Thu-i pour'd for Faiih and Freedom, hath a tone 
Which from the night of ages, Irom the gulf 
Of Death shall burst and make its high appeal 
Sound unto Earth and Heaven !" 




Friends, Neighbors, and FeUow-citizens : 

I looked forward to my i^reparations of an Address, in 
connection witli such a solemn and interesting occasion, 
as a privilege and an honor. For nearly one "and a half 
centuries iny race has been connected with this township. 
Roade Hoek derives its name from a near connection of 
my family whose blood flows in my veins. My grandmother's 
home stood in your midst, before the first Revolutionary 
war was even the basis of a dream. ]\Iy great-grandfather 
lived within the town limits when the Indian still encamped 
upon his cl(>arings, and the wild beasts, which have disap- 
peari'd from our midst, still nightly prowled about his 
dwelling and his betterments. Therefore, to address the 
people of this portion of the upper district of the 
town of Red Hook, in relation to the part which 
its inhabitants played during the most momentous 
period of our country's life, is a very proud and happy 
duty for a member of their community. This is especially 
so in my case, whose fathers spake to your fathers 
when the Frenchman was still their most dangerous enemy 
and the shores of this river were the seat of a Dutch 
colony. To speak to this my, our people, in remembrance 
of their patriotic dead, should be an inspiring theme : it is 
an honorable and grateful duty — it almost seems like 
speaking of my own. 

_ It is very doubtful, coasidering the state of parties in this 
district, if any territory of like population, similarly situa- 
ted, sent forth anything like the same nun)ber of it^s patri- 
otic sons to the battle-field. 

You will be astonished when it is told, and can be shown 
from official reports, and private data, that nearly one- 
sixth of our po])nlation (about 3,300 in all), were present or 
represented in the field, at one period or another of the 
war. Red Hook, in person or by substitute, between 
l.oth April, lS(;i. when Abraham 'Lincoln called for his 
first levy of T.t.OOO men, and 2d April. ISOG, when Andrew 
Johnson declared that the war had ceased, had nearly, if 



rCN-^^ 



■ \"^"V 



not altouethiM'. 510 roprcsentatives niuler anus and under 
fire. 

This is tiie more irinarkahle and praiseworthy since 
this townsliip is not like a frontier district in which the 
menace of invasion compels its men to seize their weapons 
to prevent the plunder of th&ir property and the confia- 
ffration of th'ir-iUveJlinus, and to avert from their families 
those worst injuries whichwar can inflict. In such a case 
the first law of nature, self-preservation, echoes the sum- 
mons to arms ! It is not like a <;'reat seaport town into 
which immiuration pours its needy adventurers or foreign 
poor, to enlist under the temptation of bounties, which are 
wealth to the workinu' classes of the Old World. It is not 
like a city or large town filled with those Arabs of the 
streets, to whom the })rivations of a soldiers life are positive 
comforts and even luxuries, in comparison to the risks and 
hardships of their every-day existence. It is not like 
a newly-settled district exposed to the inroads of the 
savag-e.'to whose inhabitants custom has rendered military 
service almost second nature, and danger has made the 
rifle and the hunting-knife as familiar tools as the imple- 
ments of husbandry. 

No. dear friends, our district was like none of these ; it 
was remote from danger : the foot of war could never 
trample its fields. Nor were our people like those classes 
to which I have referred. They were peaceable and in- 
dustrious countrymen. To them the summons to arms 
would have proved no invitation had it not been the voice of 
their country, the voice of a dear and endangered country, 
tvhich appealed to their honest sentiments and their 
brave enterprise, their love oi liberty, and their patri- 
otism, calling upon them to go forth and peril their lives 
upon the battle-field, and to risk their health in the camp 
and in the hospital to maintain freedom, and to extend the 
blessings of liberty and to preserve that glorious country 
which less than a century ago was a strip of settlements 
clinging to the shores of the Atlantic — a ribbon of culti- 
vation and civilization, which has grown lu-oader and broad- 
er under the impulse and protection of liberal institutions, 
until its western edge is silvered by the surf of the Pacific, 
and the influence and majesty of those institutions shed their 
light eastward and westward over the whole world. 

Well might Paijodik chaunt — 

•' Our country I— 'tis a glorious lard ! 

With broad arms stretcli'd from fhoro to shore, 
The proud Foci lie chafes her strand, 

She hears the dark Atlantic roar ; 
And nurtiir'd on her ample breast. 

How many a poodly prospect lies 
In nature's wild st grande\ir drest, 

Enamell'd with the loveliest dyes." 

Or as Br.RANciKR. tlie French poet of Freedom, sang— 

" Thou secst Europi'an, fir and near 

Upon this strand, whence joyous shouts resound, 
Thou seest, free from pain or servile fear. 



Peace, Labor, Law and Charities abound. 
Tlpre the oppressed a Refuge find from strife ; 
Here Tyrants bid our deserts teem with life . 
Man and his Rights have here a Judge divine. 
O'er all the Eartli, O day of triumphs thiue ! " 

To the majority of the people of this district the infernal 
agencies which had been at work for over sixty-three j'ears 
(since 1798), to enlarge the t?LAVE-i'owf;RaiHl produce Se- 
cession, were either entirely unknown or misunderstood. 
Many of those who, for a Ions' succession of years, had 
voted, indeed, with the party wliich fostered those South- 
ern leaders who brous;ht on the Rebellion, had not the 
remotest idea of their treasonable views or intentions. The 
mass of the Northern pro-slavery voters were totally un- 
aware of the individual meanness, the vileness of the 
measures, or the enormity of the criminality of those who 
engineered the working out of the plot which plunged our 
country in l^lood and tears and debt. Free themselves, and 
happy among tiiemselves, the Northern people could not 
understand the degradation of the sentiments or the fierce- 
ness of the ])rejudices which Slavery unavoidably and nat- 
urally engendered. E.xcept in rare cases, they could not 
comprehend the persecutions to which our Northern 
settlers htid been subjected in slave-holding and slave- 
breeding States. Few could be made to believe that 
liberal ideas, such as we were accustomed to speak of 
witiiout ,l•e^traiIlt, and opinions such as we daily inter- 
changed, were forbidden within the area wherein the crack 
of the slave-driver's lash Ibund continual echo in the slave- 
driven's agonized cry. Southern orators, with the cunning 
of the evil one himself in their hearts, and arguments de- 
rived from the same father of lies on their lips, had been 
permitted to come North and pour forth freely the poison 
of tlieir deliberate and unmitigated fatirications. Among 
our frank and loyal people, unaccustomed to such specious 
and brazoned falsehoods, they passed for honesty and truth. 
Few. very few. even of their opponents, who had not been 
conscientious ear and eye-witnesses of the true state of 
affairs, could understand that such barefaced perversions 
of patent facts, that such treasonable wiles, and that such 
fearfully atrocious misrepresentations, could, indeed, be 
falsehoods, inexcusable except to minds permeated with 
disloyalty, treason, hatred to the laborer, to the poor white, 
to free thought, to open discussion, tilled with contemptu- 
ous ignorance of the dignity of labor. 

Few could be brought to believe at that time when, on 
the 2d of December. 1859. Hknry A. Wise hung John 
Brown, that the Viriiinian (lOvcrnor hung him for a polit- 
ical olijei't, and not in vindication of the violated laws of 
his State. Wise hurried his pre-judged victim to the 
gallows with such a vindictive hate as to call forth the re- 
monstrance of one of the wickedest of Northern politicians 
in the Southern interest. Fernando Wood himself, urged 
upon Henry A. Wise the impolicy of the poor ohl man's 



execution ; l)iit AVise was inexorable. 'I'he iianpinu' of 
Joiix Brown was tlie iminolation of a liuniaii bein^' to 
secmv political stipreinucy, and minister to personal eleva- 
tion. It was the deliberate sacrifice of life to propitiate 
that ehiss or party who, since the nomination of Fremo.nt, 
had adopted as their luiidanientai princii)!e tn ritlc in the 
Uiu'on, or to Jcstrni/ the Union. The basis of 1 heir ])]au 
was Treason ; its result was to be. and could be, nothinjf 
less than the overthrow of liberal institutions, the deij-rada- 
tion of the. just-now <>'enerally aeknowledued, diprnity of 
free labor, the death-blow to liberty in itr. last asyhini.'this 
our country, this the worlds rtfnp:e, a New World. 

On the 2d of December, 18.t9, John Brown and his as- 
sociates suffered as felons. Even the reckless Virg'inian 
hotspur did not dare to try them as traitors : they died 
like hero/s — they ju'rislied like martyrs for freedom! 

The South, which hojM'd to profit by their death, by 
their execution sufltM'ed irretrievable damaac John 
Hrown. i)y dyinir as only heroes and martyrs can die. awoke 
the North to looking;- upon slavery. in its horrilile, blood- 
stained, immoral blackness of deformity. The judicial 
murder of Johx Brown elected Ar.RAHAM Lincoln. 

" Cut down his corpse, trample the tnirtyr's mound : 
Bat lo 1 the seed 's scarce planted in the ground, 
When, forth, prolific, sprouting bludes appear, 
Thousands on thousands in the coming yea--. 
Whose blosoms, scarlet, Wo are Waste and War; — 
From lakes to gulf, from Ocean's shore to shore ; — 
But as iheir fruit the Wurld astonished s;iw 
Freedom secured and reestablished law I " 

Our liomekeapinL'' Xorthern rural population, and still 
unawakened Northern masses, could not see throuoh this 
atrocious plot, or imagine the extent of its deeji-laid prep- 
aration. One thiuL'-. however, the m:\jority proved that 
they could understimd. From their boylmod up they felt 
that tiiey were free men and free men's children. They 
knew that they were citizens of a lireat country, and the}' 
liad learned to love and honor their free Fatherland. That 
country had an emblem, appropriate and indicative, and 
they loved and honored that emblem. 'I'hat emblem, or 
symbol of our Mifiht and Riirhts. was our Flao- — the Na- 
tional banner — " Old (iiory I" as the soldiers termed it. 
Well mifflit they term it '• Old (ilory,'' for its short-lived 
history of cinhty-four years had crowded into its pa<rcs a 
lonji--lived succession of glories such as centuries upon 
centuries (<f existence had not accumulated in the annals 
of any other nationality. Well miiiht the ])oet pour forth his 
enthusiastic salutation to that fkiii. the first banuer wliich 
ever wavi^l over a truly free people : 

" Flag ol the free heart's hopi- and home, 

!!}■ angel h;inds to valor given ; 
Thv stars have lit the welkin dome 

And all thy hues were born in heaven ! 
And fixed as yonder orb divine, 

That .-aw thy banneied bhize unfurled, ' 

Shall thy pioud stars resplendi lit shine, 

The guard and glory ot the world ! " ., 



New as the fact may b." to many present, the National 
hanuLM-, as we now belioUl it. was not, liowevcr, the flag 
r.!i L'l' wliich the SiEriHTs ol' our Declaration oflndepcn- 
ch'nce deliberated and resolved, or the lirst opening cam- 
paigns (of 17TG-1777) oF the Revolution were tbught. Its 
galaxy of stars, significant of harmony, and its alternation 
of stripes, indicative of purity and valor, the whole ex- 
pressive of an everlasting union, like that of a heavenly 
constellation — ecjuality of rights, purity of intention, and 
invincible determination to defend all that of which our 
flag is emblematical — were not conceived, and combined, 
and adopted, until nearly a year alter our Independence 
had been declared. 

The Stripes and the Colors, it is true, had long 
since been connected with Now England and New York. 
The settlers of New England, cast of the Connecticut, 
brothers, cotcmporaries. or descendants of the men who 
established England's invincilile commonwealth, sailed 
l(i(i years ago under a flag of thirteen stripes, exactly like 
our own, with a red cross in the field instead of the stars ; 
and the settlers of the New Netherlands, west of the Con- 
necticut, sprung from the loins of the indomitable free 
citizens of the United States or Provinces, commonly 
known to us as Holland, marched, conquered and navi- 
gated under the same '■ Red, White and Blue." disposed 
in horizontal stripes. 

But it was und'r the folds and colors of a similar repre- 
sentative flag, bearing the same relation to '• Old Glory " 
which the child bears to the man, that from Bnnl'er's 
Hill to the east, and at Quebec to the farthest north, a 
Warrkx I'rom Massachusetts, and a Montgomery from 
this very town, fought like heroes and died like the martyrs, 
to whose honor R"d Hook has contributed and raised a 
memorial. 

" Here, glorious Warkkn, thy cold earth was seen. 
Here spring thy laurels in immortal green ; 
Dearest of chiels that ever prest the plain 
III Freedom's cause, with earthly honors slain ; 
Still dear in deaih, as when before our sight 
You graced the Senate or vou lei the fight. 
The grateful Muse shail tell the world your fame, 
And unborn realms resound the deathless name." 

There the revolutionary soldier and general of Red 
Hook, 

" With eager look, conspicuous o'r (ho crowd 
And port majestic, brave Montgomkey strode, 
1! ired his tried blndo, with honor's call elate, 
Claim'd the first field and h.-.sten'd to his fate." 

Under a like representative flag Wasiiixgtox. from 
once honorable but lately traitorous Old Dominion, and 
honest, unselfish, tower-like Schuyler, from tLe neighbor- 
ing County of Albany, who saved our State in 1777, had 
won imperishable honor, an 1 fulfi I'd the highest duties of 
patri(»ts. soldiers, statesmen and citizens. 

On the 14th of June, 1777, eighty-nine years ago, the 
Stars and Stripes were born. 



" Old Glory " tii-st sawjight on that never-to-be-for<>-otten 
14th of October, 1777, when on the shores of our own ma- 
jestic river tlie sun Uioked down upon the greatest triumph 
ever achieved by freemen over oppressors — upon the 
greatest succtss ever won by a citizen soldiery over vet- 
erans and barbarian allies. 

The Stars and Stripes were first unfurled to float over 
the " Surrender of Saratoga." 

" When sad Bvkgoyne, in one disastrous day, 
See< future crowns and former wreaths decay, 
' His banners furled, his long battalions wheel'd 

To pile their muskets on the Dattle-field." 

This incomparable success, the thirteenth decisive, vic- 
tory in the history of human progress, won for us the al- 
liance nnd assistance of France. This capture of tlio 
magnificent royal army determined the late or result of the 
Revolution, and set up for ever in a blaze of glory the pil- 
lars of our nationality. 

But, friends and neighbors, when I thus call your atten- 
tion to that Surrender of Bl'rgoyxe. it is not alone for 
the purpose of announcing to you the first display of the 
national flag. That triumph is one of the brightest among 
the many military achievements of this, our, the P^mpirk 
State. The military sagacity and calm common sense of 
a New York geaeral and farmer. Piiiijp Schl-vleh, and 
the fearles-; tenacity of New York farmers and woodsmen 
troops so checked and harassed Birgoyxe that the latter, 
an able commander, felt he was whipped long before he 
reached, and fought, and laid down his arms at Saratoga. 

" Those gallant yeoman " 

New York's " peculiar and appropriate sons, 

Known in no other land. Each boasts his hearth 

And field as free as the best lord his barony, 

Owing subjection to no human vassalage 

Save to Iheir "God" and law. Hence they are resolute 

Leading the van on every day of battle, 

As men who know the blessings they ilefend. 

New York troops bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
although New Ensrland co-operated, nobly co-operated, and 
helped to complete the work, our deliberate New York 
leader and our sturdy New York men paved tlie way to 
success and insured it, hoping against hope, but never re- 
laxing their efforts ; compelhng fortune l)y their indomita- 
ble tenacity and laborious energy, their self-sacrificing 
patriotic determination. 

" Such were Saratoga's victors — such 

The Yeoman Rrave. whose deeds and death have given 
A glory to her skiep, 
A music to her name " 

Yes, it is a proud thing for New Yorkers to be able to 
say, pointing to our Stars and Stripes, that the Flag made 
in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 14th of 
June, 1777, made public on the 3d of September. 1777, 
first gave its Stripes to the caresses of the winds, and its 
Stars to kindle in tiie sun on New York soil, on that de- 
cisive day which was the baptismal epoch of these free 



United State;? of America. And New York State has 
proved worthy of the honor, for she sent forth 473,443 
(^500,000 to '600,000, B. M. S. Alhy) men to maintain, 
preserve, restore, and consolidate the Union. 

Theneeforward in every quarter and in every colony it 
wasequally the emblem of />/6c;-/^and of Victory. Wash- 
ington perfected his great work under it at the North, 
andin the Cfiifir. and under the same "Old Glory," 

" Greese rose bei-ide him eraulou« in arms, 
Ilif genius bri^htning as the danger warms, 
In counsel great, in every science skill'd. 
Pride of the camp and terror of the field," 

and completed the deliverance of the South. 

Meanwhile, in the midst, that same glorious banner 
witnessed at the same point where McClellan commenced 
his inglorious career, that Surrender of Yorktown which 
should have inspired him or any other Northern leader 
with the force and will to enuilate the wisdom, the energy 
and the success of that Father of his Country, who, on the 
banks of the York River, 10th of October, 1781, saw 
England's ablest general and best veteran army, lay down 
its arms before our Continental Line and farmer-soldiers. 
The war-worn English banners saw, 

" Flags from the forts and ensigns from the fleet," — 

which had waved over so many conquests and victories, 
and had ruled through so many centuries, 

" Roll in the dust and at < "olumbia's feet." 
" Here Albion's crimson cross the soil o'erspreads, 
Her Lion crouches and her Thistle fades ; 
Indignant Erin rues her trampled Lyre, 
lirunsnick's pale Steed lorgets his foamy fire, 
Pniud Hessia's Castle lies in dust o'erthrown. 
And venal Anspach quits her broken crown." 

Banners invested with the glories of seventeen hundred 
years, bowed in defeat and capitulationj to that new-born 
i'lag exactly four years old. 

Need I more than refer to the Second "War of In- 
dependence so full of honors to that dear old flag, 
young in years, but old in triumphs. Did it not float 
over Pike, dying in the arms of victory, at Little YorTc 
(now Toronto), (27th April, 1813) ; over the invincible 
Backus, at Sacl-ett's Uarhor, on Lal-e Ontario (29th 
May. 1813j; over Perry, on Lalce Erie (10th Septem- 
ber, 1813); and over Harrison, at the Thames (5th 
October, 1813) ; over Scott, at Chvppetca (bXh July, 
1814). where my uncle George Watts, of the Dra- 
goons, preserved a life so valuable to his, our coun- 
try ; over '' Til- try -sir f'' Miller, at Lundy's Lane 
(2'5th July, 1814); over the indomitable Brown, at 
Fort Erie (3d August— 21st Septeanber, 1814); over 
Izard, Macomb and Wool, victorious at Plattshurgh 
(1st— 12th September, 1814), over the British Gen- 
eral Prevost, envious of succeeding where Bur- 
GOYNE had failed ; over the glorious Macdonough, 
the second victor in a combat of fleets on Lake Cham- 



plain (lltli SL-])tfiiil)L'r.lS14) ; over "Old IIi(koi;y." 
•A^ Xeio Orleans (Stli Jiinnary, 1815); :iiul over tlio 
tearless Aijmisteat), at Baltimore, to whose irallant de- 
feiict of Fort McIIcnry (13th Septeinher, 1814.) the 
chuiitry owes tliat ^eiu of Nalional son;^s, the ''Stur- 
Spangled IJaiiner.'" 

. Yes, indeed, •' Old Glory I" Tliroui^h ifty years (if 
trliuiii)!), at New Orleans, at the fartliest h'o:Uh ; in 
Mexico, at tiie Aztec capital ; at Duena Vista in the 
wild, midland jxoiges of the Continent ; and in Cali- 
fornia, at the farthest West ; a Jacksox, a Scdtt, a 
Taylou and a Keaijny had fought and conquered 
in llie liglit of its stars. And then, within five .> ears 
at SpriiK/licld (10th August, 1801), at the West ; at 
Sxvannah. on tlie Tennessee (about April, 18(12), 
at Chantilly, at the East (1st September, 18(52); and 
before Atlanta, at tiie South (22d July, 1864); 
a Lyox, a Smith, u Stevexs and another Keaexy 
and a McPiiersox had fought like heroes, and bad 
die 1 like soldiers under its folds. 

. Nor was tlie brilliancy of that s;imc Old Glory 
cunl.ned to this Continent or the lirm land. In the 
bands of peaceful, but fearless explorers, its constelhi- 
tjon.had redected tlie midniglit sun of the Arctic and 
Antarctic zones — farther North, in the grasp ot Ivaxe 
and Mor.Tox, tlian any linman hand had ever carried 
any flag — farther South than any vessel, before Wed- 
DELL and Wilkes, liad penetrated the fearful Assures 
of the everlasting Antarctic ice-fields. 

Nay more, amid the sulpliureous steam of l)attle 
that s;ime "Old Glory" has sailed triumi)hant, or 
with honor, on every sea. 

' Streaming from the masthead of Paul Jones, it had 
ravaged the coasts of Great Britain, and in tlie most 
desperate naval battle of all times (28. [ Sei)tember, 
1779.) had seen the haughty, meteor flag of England 
hauled down in humiliating defeat. Twice with 
TiUTXTox, in the Constellation [.^xXvYahvw.wy, Yl^d'i ; 
2d February. 1800), "Old Glory "' .saw the French tri- 
color, which, on land, had beheld q\-Q:v\ other stan- 
djard fall before it, yield to the skill and courage 
of America's infant navy. 

And, even as in 1799 and 1800, tiie Stars and Stripes 
dared to brave the power of tiie omnipotent first Na- 
Poi.EOX, even so, in 18Go-'0, again it bearded liis no 
less astute and ambitious successor, third of the name. 
To the Latin eagle of France our .American bird 
screamed its defi.incc and warning, and ihe talons of 
the former relaxed at once their throttling liold on 
tie prostrate Aztec eagle. So grand and so imposing 
was the .attitude of our Republic that it called forth 
tho unfeigned ai)plause of England herself, and the 



lionest jicknowledgincnt tliat no other power upon 
earth wonUl have dared thus, and tlins successfully, to 
lirave and compel the despot of the Tullleries. 

But simply to refer to all the triumphs which our 
fla_!^ has achieved, would require not hours, hut days, 
where I have only minutes, to do them adequate jus- 
tice. 

Flapping at the peak of Steheett (1st August, 
1801) ; of>iiEBLE (3d, 7th, 24th and 29th August, and 
5th September, 1804); of Decatur (l7th and 19th 
June, 1815); of Ciiauxcy (August, 181G), "Old 
Glory" looked on, approving, while our tars chastised 
the l)arharian pirates of ^lorthern Africa in their 
s rongliolds — pirates tlie terror of the oldest and most 
l)o\vcrful neighboring N"ationalities. 

Upon those waves which had borne, for three 
thousand years, the contending navies of the Ancient 
and Ohl World, freemen from tiie Xew World, under 
the Stars and Stripes, were the first to teacli to those 
wlio exacted tribute from every otiicr Hag, that the 
seamen who sailed witli the Stars and Stripes as their 
emblem, would pay millions for defence, but not a 
cent for trilmte. 

When the Oliristian-despising Dey of Tunis saw 
Decatur sail (2Gth July, 1815,) into his harbor, and 
heard him dictate terms from the deck of a captured 
Englisli frigate, the G-nerriere, while a second frigate, 
taken from the same Nation, with the conquering 
" Old Glory '' at the peak, lay by, he was lost in amaze- 
ment. 

" You told me," said the Dey to the British Consul, 
"that you Englisli would sweep the Americans from 
the seas. And, now, behold, they come to make war 
upon me with the very ships tliey have taken from 
yon !" 

Dear old flag, how often against odds upon the 
farthest oceans, in single encounters, and twice in a 
combat of fleets on our own inland seas, partially 
eml)raced by the territory of the State of New York, 
have the Stars anrl Stripes, triumphing, supplanted the 
Union Jack of England. 

" Whoso smoking decks are these ? ; 

I know Saint George's Wood red ' ross. 

Thou Mistress of the Seas,— 
Lilt what is she, whose streaming Stripes 

Roll out before the breeze ! " 

* ♦ * » 

•' 1 he mist was cicar'd— a Wreath of Stars 
Rose o'er the crimson swell, 
And wavering from iis haughty peak. 
The Cross of England fell." 

One exploit of more recent date had added such 
lustre to our flag that, until the Rebels hauled it down 
south of the Potomac and the Ohio, tlie world looked 
up to it with awe and admiration. AVhen the fugitive 



10 

and the exile appealed to it for protectioir, desi)otisiii 
Buw itself compelled to respect the rights of those 
whose trembling limbs had borne them to this 
sanctuary of freedom to clasp as would-be-citizens the 
horns of that altar upon which the American people 
had kindled, in 1770, the perpetual tires of liberty. 

Lot no American ever forget how, in the harbor of 
Smyrna, our sailing sloop-of-war, St. Louis, dared to 
confront a squadron of Austrian steamers and coni- 
pel the Satrap of the despot to deliver up Kozta, 
who claimed the protection of the Stars and Stripes, 
sira[)ly because, while in this country, he had registered 
his intention of becoming a citizen. The Austrian 
Commodore had ordered the poor Hungarian to be 
bound to the mainmast of his flagsiiip, in hopes th;it 
if the St. Louis lired, its broadside would destroy 
KozTA, and thus preclude his surrender. The Austrian 
Vulture, however, which had preyed on older emblem- 
atic birds and beasts of imperial and royal dignity, 
did not dare to encountt^r the beak and talons of the 
young Republican eagle. So Kozta was save(i, un- 
bound, and delivered safe upon the deck of tiie St. 
Louis, under the shadow of that Hag to which he o - ed 
his life and his freedom. 

And. tiien, again, when British naval archittcis ami 
mechanics had constructed and launclied the Ala- 
bama, and had sent her fortii, manned with British 
sailors and guiuiers, trained in British sciiools of naval 
gunnery, all English but her Rebel pirate commander, 
80 English it needed but tiio English flag to constitute 
her the National sea-ciiainpion of England — how 
short a space did it require for the Kearsarge, witii 
Old Glory at her peak, to send the perfidious corsair 
down into the depths of that ocean whose surface 
she had polluted by her cowardly career of theft 
and of injury to the peaceful and defenceless. 

Yea, verily, friends and neighbors, by land and l)y 
sea, on the lakes and on the oceans, wherever Old 
Glory waved and waves, and wherever it fl(tated and 
now again tioats, it proclaimed a stupendous stride of 
htiman progress ; it demonstrated the result of dignify- 
ing labor, and it promised liberty to the oppressed, 
and declared the freedom of the seas. 

Such is a l)rief allusion to the history of that flag 
which Rebels were sufficiently insane to insult, and 
which Rebels saw floating victoriously over their 
captured stiongholds and their discomrtted armies. 

Flivg of the Free, humiliatpd 

By Treison's crime and Rebel guile, 

Bt Freemen's efforts reinstated, 
Now floats victorious o'er the pile 

Of States redeemed and recreated— 
Vast Freedom's temple in whose aisle 
Our Flags in fight, 



11 

Witness of efforts never mated 
Shall wave forever permeated 
With Glory's light ! 
» * * ■ * » 

TwH) or three jears since one of the citizens of this 
town (Dii. Thomas Bartonj visited England. On 
his return he was asked what had impressed him most 
during iiis tour, or in what particular our people dif- 
fered most from those ahroad ? His reply— the reply 
of an observing and thinking man — was, " I was struck 
with the contrast between the brutality of the English 
and the Patience of the American people." A true 
remark — a sagacious observation. This it was, this 
PATIENCE, this moral discipline, the self-restraint, 
which made the Northerners such good soldiers in the 
battle-tield : such good citizens on the field of indus- 
try, since their mustering out and their return to their 
former avocations. Yes, perhaps patience or moral 
discipline is the distinctive characteristic of the 
Northern masses. Nothing like it ever belonged to the 
Southern character. 

The incomprehension of this magnanimous phase of 
mind led the Southerners, rebels in heart, but not yet 
rebels in act, into a fatal error, and doubtless was the 
real occasion of the " Sluvelioiders' Rebellion;" "the 
Rebellion of a few arrogant land and slaveholders 
(^against a popular government ;" -^ the Rebellion of a?i 
Oligarchy against the People." 

The Slavocrats and Secessionists presumed upon the 
merciful forbearance of a patient peojjle, forgetting 
that there is a period when forbearance ceases to be a 
virtue. Tbey deluded themselves into the ridiculous 
idea that Northern patience and long suffering were 
the result of want of manliness — yes, of courage — not 
the consequence of the most dignified composure and 
the noblest self-reliance. No section ever made a 
greater mistake. Carried away by this self-deception, 
they crowned twenty-eight (1832-'3,-'60) years of folly 
by an act of madness. 

Led oft' l>y the aristocratic slaveholders of South 
Caroliua of theRuFFi{a)N type, the Rebels fired upon 
"Old Glory "—they dared to fire against the Stars 
and Stripes, the sacred emblem ot a free people. 

As Major-General Baknaed wrote, •' In the little 
and contemptible oligarchy of South Carolina (con- 
temptible as all little oligarchies are), *vas found a 
large enough proportion of demented men " to set this 
ball in motitm. ' " 

The Soutli fired upon ourflaa; and the North awoke. 
Such an awakening the world had never yet seen ; it is 
very likely tlie world will never again see. It was the 
uprising of the People, the great tree Novtliern people, 
roused from patient repose into indignant activity. It 
proved that within this, the real area of Freedom, 



12 

— — " Jfan is nne : 
And he hath nne preat heirt. It i< thus we feel, 
WitI a Kigantic throb athwart the sea; 
Eich other's righls and wrongs ; thus are we men." 

The Freo North arose like a giant retVesiied by sleep ; 
iiwoke from tlie torpor of dreams to a fall conception 
of the mai^nitude and magnilicence of the oc;,'asion. 
Freedom and Slavery at length looked each other in the 
facj ; Oligarchy and true Republican-Democracy. 
Every thinking, ])atriotic man at tlie North knew well 
tliat the balls tired at Sumter, tiie insult to the Flng, 
was a shot tired ar the heart of Progress — a dcalh-blow 
aimed at the life of the Nation. No more folding of 
the hands to sleep. It was sleep on and perish, wake 
and live! 

Pine-clad Katihdin's s\immon 's blending 

With caU trom Santa Rosa's bight— 
P.icifi'; cheering answer sending 

To lone Mount Desert's sea-girt light — 
From East to We-t, one voice ascending, 
From ev'ry State the arch subtending — 

To arms and fight I 
The Rocky Mountains echo lending, 
Along the Lakes that echo 's wending, 

God save the right. 

The people became at once transmuted into an army, 
permeated with an Idea. Ecery Army ichich has ever 
heen inspired '"'itJi an Idea has proved itself /««/«c/J?e. 
TheFrencli Army of 1789-1812, which conquered in suc- 
cession every European Continental Nation, had caught 
a sort of delirium together with Ideasof True Lilierty, 
from fighting in America. If auxiliaries nurtured, 
trained, and directed by Despotism, merely by fight- 
ing at the side of our Revolutionary sires liad, by their 
example, been rendered unconquerable, was it not in- 
consistent or unwise to believe that the son>, of those 
sires had degenerated or had forgotten the lessons and 
traditions which their fathers had learned at the knees 
of the Patriots of '76. It could not be so. liuxKER 
Hill and Bexxixgtox, Ohiskaxv and Stoxe Poixt, 
SriLLWATEK and SAHAXOfjA (the last five fouJit on 
New York soil), could not liave been forgotten while 
those, who participated in their glories, still survived 
to teach the generation, still living, how the Sons of 
Liberty battled for Freedom and for Independence. 

On thelSth April, 18(>1, ajipareiit ])eace still reigned 
in the land. Since the lOtli October. 1781, when the 
British capitulated at Yorktown, no hostile force had 
traversed our country. Eighty years ot intei-nal tran- 
quillity iia<l made us the most i)ros])erous and liappy 
people in the world. The accursed slaveholders, to 
maintain their |)roperty in man, fii-ed upon our Flag, 
and witiiin the ensuing four years 2,088,52:1 men had 
been arrayed to avenge the insult, to defend and re- 
store that Fl:ig, and almost as many madm n had 



13 

armed to steep it in bloud and trample it in the dust 
of defeat and humiliation. On the 18th of April, 18G1, 
t.'ie country was at re^t and rejoicing. By the 2d of 
June, 18(35, a little over the space of one Presidential 
term, 000,000 men on both sides had lost their lives 
supporting or suppressing tlie Slaveholders' Rebelliou. 
This 600,000 does not incUnle the living — sick, maimed 
and crippled. 

When the news of the " firing on Sumter '^ reached 
New York, the city was a siglit to see. Its buildings 
seemed to be clothed with the national banner. A 
bracing wind made " Old Glory ' stream out in all its 
beauty and suggestive grandeur. From window, spire, 
and statt", thousands upon thousands of Flags filled the 
air witii their crin.son, white, and azure tissues. The 
Red, White, and Blue showed on every patriotic man's 
breast and s-lioue on every ti'iie woman's bosom, in 
materials more or less precious, but eijually precious in 
tlie sentiment which placed or pinned it there. And 
so it was from day to day until, when Anderson, 
nom his defence of Sumter, passed up Uroadway, he 
r.pi)eared to advance under one continual cauoj)y of 
Stars and Stripes, whose fiapping folds seeTued to utter 
in chorus — " Well done, Lrave soldier ! Woe to those 
■<yho fired upon ihe Flag we honor and you defended ! ' 

The South fired upon our Flag, and the North awoke 
and arose, and among the first to awake to the magi- 
tude of the occasion were the people of " this im- 
mediate neighborhood." Mountains aie the fountains 
of subliiuity and patriotism. Our people breathed 
the air of the Kaatskills. Their souls had expanded 
in their contemplation. 

From this tinie forward the history of Red Hook's 
partici|)atiou in the "Great American Oonfiict" in- 
v(dves the history of the whole struggle. Red Hook's 
quota, through, its individuals, representing links, 
runs like a chain throughout the war, and ctmnects 
together almost every portion of the conflict, and of the 
theatre of hostilitie*--. by her sons or their afliliations. 
To endeavor to give anything like a detailed account 
of all the actions in which our fellow townsmen 
were engaged, would be no less than attempting 
to compress the history of the four years of the great- 
est war on record into the compass of an Address 
which should occupy an hour in its delivery. 

In the course of those four years, between the par- 
ticipation of this immediate neighborhood in the 
initiative etfort, the reopening of the route to Washing- 
ton, and in the final grand triumph, both of ideal and 
real importance, the occupation of Richmond, Red 
Ilook sent forth as Volunteers, by Re-enlistment, or by 
Substitutes, as stated hereinbefore, over 500 men. 



14 

The exiict count, jis made up from tlie most accurate 
accessihle authorities, is 508 : Volunteers prior to 
the draft of September, 18G8, 175 to ITS; re-enlist- 
ments noted, 19; enlistments at Alliany in 1865, 27 ; 
result of four drafts imposed on the towu, .279= 
500 or 503. These were distribute ' into over 47 
regiments, as so far discovered, besides /"our or more 

Vessels of War : 14th U. S. infantry*; 1st, 7th, and 
14th Neiv Jersey V(.>lunteers ; 1st (Seuref-i/s) ISthNew 
YorkEnf-'ineers; Istt and 2d New York Light Artil- 
lery, and 34th Independent I^attery, New York Vol- 
unteer Artillery ; 6th, 13tli* and i4th N. Y. Heaw 

Artilk-rv ; 2d, 3(', 4th, Sthf and 6th. N.Y. Cav- 
alry; Scott's 900]: ; and 1st N. Y. Miuinted Rifles ; 

* f^ieutenant Wakukm W. Chambkulain, from Lowtr UKi lIooU, 
bi'longed to thi< ifgiinenl. He had previouslj held a commission as 
Lieutenant in the r2th N. Y. Militia, which left New Yoik City 21st 
\pril, 1861. He WHS killed near Groveton, Va., while acting lis aide- 
de-camp to General Syivks, under Very peculiar and distressing cir- 
cumst mces, at the second battle of Manassas or Bull Run, 30lh Au«- 
gust, 1S()2. 

t Of this 1st regiment, Mouoan Light Artillery, Coaklks S. "Wain- 
WRiGHT (oi Khynbeck), Brevet Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, 
was olonel, IHiil-'.'); J. Watts DKrKYsTui Junior, Brevet Li<\i'en- 
anf-Colonel New Yoik Volunteers (Vohirteer Aide-de-Cainp to Gen- 
eral I'liiLiP Kearnv at Williamsburg and Seven Pines or Fair Oaks), 
was Junior Major in 18(51-'2. 

There were "nly some thirty of the men enlisted for the 1st New 
York (Morgan) light artillery in Duchess county, whoever joined it. 
These belonged to " E" < oiiipany, and .sv;m« <;/' them were engaged in 
the following baitles : Spottsyhan.a, North Anna, Bethesda Church, 
siege of Peter-burg. 

The regimental Hag of the 1st New York artillery bears the i.ames 
of forty-five bittles and sieges in which one or more companies of 
the regiment took part as follows, viz : 

Cross Keys, Spottsylvania, 

Winchester (first), North Anna, 

Lee's Mills, Tolopatamoy, 

Siege of York'own, Bethi sda Church, 

Williamsburg, Cold Harbor, 

Fair Oaks, Petersbiirg, 

Mechanics! ille, Weldon Railroad, 

Jun ■ ib, 1862, I'eeb'es Farm, 

Savage Starion, Chapel House, 

White Oik Swamp, Matcher's Run, 

Glendale, Gravelly llun, 

Malvern Hill. Five FoVks, 

Bull Hun second. Storming of Petersburg. 

South Mountain, Appomattox Court House, 

Antietam, Lookout Mountain, 

Fredericksburg, Resaca, 

Chancellorsville, New Hope Church, 

Gettysburg, Kenesaw, 

Rappahanuoci Station, Peach Tree Creek, 

Bristoe Station, Atlanta, 

Mine Run, Savannah, 

Wilderness, Averysboro', 

Bentonville 

* Johnston L. we Pkyster, Brevet Lieutenant-Co'onel U. S. Vol- 
unteers, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel New York Volunteers, Recipient 
of Vote of Thanks from the Corporation of the City of New York, 
1866, was Second Lieutenant and Post Adjutant, Fort O'Rorke, 1864. 

t Augustus Bakkeh, Second and First Lieutenant and Captain 
(killed), in this regiment (1861-'3). 

X J. Watts de Pkvstkr, Junior, First Lieutenant commanding 
company, in this regiment in July, 1862. 



15 

1st (National Guard) ; 12th (Independence Guard) ; 
I7tli|| (Westchester Chasseurs) ; 22d (Siinthern Tier 
Eegiment) ; 25th (Union Rangeis); 26th; 29th§ (As- 
tok;; 32d (1st California); 44th (People's Ellswohth 

5 Robert L. Livingston, Volunteer aid to General Butterfield for 
upwiirHs of a month, when he rtceived n commission as Ensign in 
the 17th New York Stute Volunteers, Colonel II. S. Lansing, dated 
2'Jlh October, ISlil ; Fiist Lieutmant June 20, 18(i2, to take rank 
Irom May 27th, the day of the battle of lliino' tr Court-house. This 
promotion was made by Governor Mokgan upon the following let- 
ter : 

llEADaUAkTERS 3r BRIGADE, CaMP NEAR NeW BBinGE, 1 

June 11, 18fi2. j 

CoUinel ti. a. Lattsiny, \7l/i aVcio York State Volunteers: 

■ ui.oNKL :— On the day of our tight at Hanover Court-house, when 
!>l\ the oiKcers ol the 17lh behaved so well, the conduct of Lieutenants 
BuRi.nuii and Livingston came i.articularly under my personal 
observation. Lieuttiiant Livingston, on my peisonal staff, behaved 
most ailm lably, carrying my orders oftentimes under tire in the coolest 
manner. To him, not less than to the other members of my personal 
siult, nnsell iiiid the brigade are indebted. * trust that wjen the op- 
poiiuiuty <or pioiiiotion occuis these officers may be rtmembered. 
While I cannot, by implication or otherwise, do any injustice to 
others of your command who behaved so well, I feel it my duty to 
biing these officers to your notice. 

I am, Coionel, very rcspectlully yours. 

Daniel Buttekfield, Brigadier-General. 

Hkauhi'arters 17th Regime.nt N. Y. S. Volunteers, ^ 

3l) BhlG-.DE, POUTKU'S DIVISION, VaLLEY OF THE > 

Chick AHOMiNY, June 12, 18G2. ) 
Adjutard-Ge.neral Thomas Hillhoase: 
\ UENERAL :— 1 inclose a copy of a letter received from General Bvt- 
jEKFiKi.i), commending the conduct of Lieutenants Burleigh and 
LiviNosioN upon the field of Hano er Court house. It affords me 
pleasure to add my own testimony to the coolness and gallantry of 
both the.-e officers, and to recommend them for promotion. Lieuten- 
ant Bun lkigii to be aptain, to date from 27th May; Second Lieu- 
tenant KoBEKT L Livingston to be First Lieutenant, vice Buuleigh, 
promoted, to date from 27th May. 

I am, sir, verv respectfully, &c., 
II. S Lansing, "Colo. .el 17th New York State Volunteers. 

lie jei ved during the entire campaign of the Army of the Potomac 
under General McClelian, attached to the oth Aimy Corps; was 
among the tirst to inter Yoiktown ; was present at the numerous 
engagements on the Peninsula, at the White House, Se\en Pines, 
Gaines's Mills, Malvern Hill, returning to Tivoli on leave alter the 
letinment ot the Army of the Potomac to llaiiison's Bar, to recruit 
iroiii the fatigue and exhiustion ol what is styled the " Seven Days 
Battle." In September ho ictumeuto llarru^on's Bar, and thence 
joine 1 his General and the Amy, about the time the commnnd was 
iraiisierred to General Pope, but was incapacitated, frcm the return 
of his ChicUahon iny lever, to ^o in the field, as was also his Gmeral, 
and made his wav alone, with his servant, to Washington, where he 
remained on the "sick list during those days of confusion and mollifi- 
cation which followed the deleat ot Geneial Pope. 

He was still recruiting when the battle of Antietam was fought; 
but his General leturning tu his command, he once more went into 
thetielo, butonlv to remain a short time ; the Chickahominy fever was 
again upon him "on his return. After being present in some sixteen 
engagements, and serving eighteen months, be tendered his resigna- 
tion, which was accepted. J- I^- 

§ Loiis LivncsTON, afterward Captain, U. S. A., and Additional 
Aide-de Campto Major-Gen. S. W. Cuawfokd, U. S. Volunteers, was 
elected the lirst Major of this regiment ; Lieu'enant H. Livingston 
RoGEKS was Quarteimaster. Miss Estelle E. de Peyster presented 
this regiment its State or Battle flag, which, after two years service, 
and alter being present in every combat, affair and battle in which 
the 29th pHrticipated, was returned, a mere wreck and relic, to the 
donor as a memento, and is now kept in the dwelling of the Speaker. 



16 

Avengers) ; 48tli (Ist Coiitinentjil Guard) ; 5tUh (Tenth 
Leffion); Gist (Clinton Guarlf ; G3il (3d Irish); 
C5th (United States Ciiasseiifs) ; VOth (Cort]andt)r ; 
80rh (20th X. Y. S. M., Ulster Guard) ; 84th (I4ih N. Y. 
S. M:., Brooklyn); 01st (Heavy Artillery) ; 'JStli ; OGth,, 
(Macombh:) ; ll4th, 115th, 125tli, 12Srht, 150th| 
loGrh, lOllth, New York Volunteer lutantry ; 8th 
N. Y.S. Milit'a. Navy. — Steamers, Minnesota, Color- 
ado, Port>mouth,§ Bienville, etc. 

Even witii the very first sound of alarm, a num- 
ber of our youth hastened to enrol liiemselves, or 
hurried forward to tlie scene of contlict. On the 15th 
April, 18G1, President LtxcoLX called for his tirst 
levy of 75.000 Volunteers. Had he invoked 2,000,000 
they would have responded. On the 21st April, the 
12riiN. Y. S. M. left New YoikCily. On the 23d 
the 8th N. Y. S M. (Washington Greys), was on its 

* Dr. William 1'. Uusi, of Madalia, died in service, Assistan, 
Surgeon. 

II Wm. p. Wai.nwrigiit, ' olonel 22d New Yoik State Militia, which 
compiiscd this town, I80G, olonel, wuunded in command of Doible- 
DAV's brigade at South Mountain, alter saving the day m that 
quarter; present ai Bui Kun ; first Cro^s-Keys ; under fire at G.iiuts- 
ViUe, Rappahiiimock Station, Hull Kun Sicond — two days, South 
.Mountain— wounded, Fri'dericIj.Nburg first ; present at Chancellors- 
viUe ; resigntd, broken in health, fiom which he .'till tutlers, 1866. 
Chaules K. Livingston, (grandson o Robkkt S Livingston, Esq., 
of Ked Uook,) Lieutenant-' olonel, etc., in this 76tn legiment. 

t John H. II agar, of Madalin, rose from Private to First Lieuten- 
ant commanding Color Company C. 

B Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston Livingston de Pey.«teii 
held commission of Captain in this regiment in 1865, and at the 
time when it was mustered out. 

; Stephen Van IIe^sselaer Crcger, supposed to hare been mor- 
tally woundeJ in two places, at Kesaca, Adjutant and Captain Com- 
pany A, Brevet Major U. S. Volunteers, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 
New York Volunteers. 

§ Ciiahlks Henry Tillottsos, Aide, etc., to Captain Swarthout, 
c<<mmanding the Portsmouth in the Mississippi Kiver Fight under 
Fakragut 1861-'3. November 11, 1861, received appointment as 
Clerk and Aide to Captain Swarthout, U. S. ship Portsmouth ; 
December 2, I (il. sailed from Portsmouth ; .lanuary 5, 1862, came to 
itnchor at K-y West ; January 16, 1862, reported to t ominander 
McKkan. at Ship Island— 01 dered to blockade i ff Uio Grande ; Feb- 
ruary I, 1862, came to anchor off Kio Grande — captured here English 
sti amer Labuaa, loaded with Confederate cotton, schooner Wave, 
loaded with sugar, sloop Pioneer, loa'ic I with tobacco ; Apiii 5, 
sailed fur Mississippi liver on short allowance of water ; Apiil 9th 
came to anchor at S. W. Pass; April 12th ordered by Commodore 
Farragut to join his fleet in the attack on Forts Jackson and Philips 
below New Orleans; April 16'h passed the bar and commenced put- 
ting ship in fiuhting condiiion ; April 17. h joined fleet below lorts ; 
April 18th, attack commenced with mortar essels ; April 24, fleet 
moved to attack ami pass torts we were ordered to come to anchor 
and take position close to Fort Jackson, that we might draw upon us 
the fire of that fort and water battery below it, so as to relieve the 
fleet, if possible, as they passed up ; remained in this position until 
the fleet had passed, and the lire of the three batteries— Forts Jackson 
and Phillips and water battery— was concentrated upon us, we then 
slipped our cible and floated out of range, the end being accomplished, 
it would have been suicidal to remain longer; May Kith, ordered to 
take position in front of Fort Parapet, about twelve miles above 
New Oilcans, to sustain it in case of an attack ; June 26, went with 



17 

\v:xy to Washin-rton. In the former \va= TTakren W. 
CiiAMBERLAix, of Lower Red Hook, Lieutenant in tlie 
Line. In the latter, Fuederic de Peystek, Jr., of 
Tivoli, aged 18, Junior Assistant Surgeon.* 

Almost simultanenusly, on the 23d-28th April, 
the Ulster Guard, 20rli N. Y. S. M.. w.is likewise in 
march for the theatre of hostilities. Eight young men 
from the village of Mudalin volunteered in it, and 
eight more from the town in this and other regi- 
ments. These first men were true patriots, and de- 
serve to be remembered by their fellow townsmen. 
If there were others, it is a great i)ity that their 
namts have not been preserved 

AxDREAV Decker, Charles Decker, Charles 
IIoroHTALixo, Montgomery Marshall, Adam Moore, 

Charles Statley, William H. Stocking, E S , 

the last name issni)pressed because this individual sub- 
seque».tly deserted. The second eight were — John 
Clark, Edward Cvrtis Le Grand Clrtis, Patrick 
Ha^es, William IIoldkidgs, George Kelly, Stephen 
Sherwood, John VitADENBURon. 

Even already the North was learning to appreciate 
the energy, courage, and ability of a man, thaii whom 
none has been more abused and none less deserving of 
^ censure — I mean Major-General Benjamin F. Bvtler. 
Let the dogs of faction howl as they will around the old 
lion, the North owes to this improvised military leader 
the salvjttion of Fortress Monroe, of Fort McHenry, yes, 
I will say it, and of Washington. Just as Lyon saved 
us at the West, just so Bitler ])reserved affairs in the 
East. He it was who reestablished the severed com- 
munications wiih the National Capital, and by that 
wf.nderfnl stroke of audacity seized and bridled rebel- 
lious Baltimore. With less than 1,000 men, half coni: 
posed oi the Sixtii Massachusetts, half selected from the 
Eiglith New York S. M., he mastered a city of 
20J.000 inhabitants. Bt'tler crnshed secession from 
the " monumental city " so thoronghly and etfectually 
that he left to ilie Ilebellion, as its only memorial of 
temporary success, the stains of blood shed by the 

U. S. sU'amer Tenntsseo, Captain Johnson, to Vicbsburg, with am- 
munition for the lleet— first attack on VicU.-burg ; June 28, liad a 
^kirInish with Confederates at Grand Gulf; July 9, reported on board 
U. S. ^hip Portsmouth ; remained here tmtil May 10, 1863, when re- 
lieved and re'urned noith — an eighteen months' cruise. C. 11. T. 

* As this regiment had more Surgeons than the United States 
would muster in, he consented to be sworn in as IIospit.Tl Steward at 
Ari naton eights, in June, ISfil, rather than be debarred from 
further usefulness The retrimfnt had, however, already done its 
chief work of opening the road to Washington and bridling Baltimore. 
Young i)K Peystkr continued to act as Assistant Surgeon, and to 
be r(e gni^ed as such. He whs breretted Ciiptain New York Vol- 
unteers for unusual energy, coolness and meiitorious conduct at the 
first Uull llun. When the three surgeons ( folder rank were captured 
a* Suilev Church ail the wounded and sick fwbo would otherwise 
bave been left without medical siid) came under his charge. 



18 

martyrs of the MassachiisettsSixtli— blood >I)ecl on the 
anniversary of Lexington — stains not yet \va^lle(l out 
by the tropical Spring rains. One of the officero 
with hiin was Assistant Surgeon De Peystek, from 
Red Hook. 

The capuire or rather bridling of Baltimore (13th 
and 14th May, 1861), was the initiative military move- 
ment at the East. Its triumphant conclusion in the 
same quarter was the fall and occupation of Richmond 
(:3d April, 1805). Here again Red Hook was in tiie 
van, and the ""first real American flag" displayed over 
the Rebel capitol, wherein for four years tlie Rebel 
Congress had deliberated and resolved treason, was 
hoisted by another son of Red lIo(d<, Lieutenant 
Johnston Livingston De PEVSTEi£,t Aide-de-camp to 
Major-General Godi'key Weitzel, Commanding. 

As Johnston L. de Peyster was brevetted Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel before he had attained the age of 19 
years, he must have been the youngest officer of that 
rank in the service. 

A very curious concurrence of circumstances is con- 
nected witb this tirst display of the American Flag 
(iver Richmond, after its evacuation. It was raised on 
the stati'at the west end of the Rebel Cupitol. From 
this sraft', thronglntut the four years of Rebellion, the 
State flag of Virginia had floated. This display of the 
Virginian standard had been kept up as indicative not 
only of tbe State Riiilits of Old Dominion as an inde- 
pendent sovereignty as regarded the Union, without, 
i. e., towards the North, but a'so as regarded the Rebel 
Confederation, to wliich it had joined its destiny, 
within, i. c, towards the South ami West. The flag 
of Virginia was not only a signal of deflance hung out 
against the Stars and S ripes investing Richmond, but 
towards the maaimoth Rebel Confederate flag 
which l)ad already been torn down from the stall' 
at the east end of the traitors' capital. Thus 
the baimer emblazoned witn " Sic semper tyi'an- 

t Urevet iiieutenant-Colonel Johnston I.ivingsion dk Pkystkk, 
U. S. V. New York Volunteers, tven ll^ an elder biotlier was among 
the first to enter the service, the younger was on of the last to eave 
it. At the earnest rec mmendatiou of Major-General S. W. Ckaw- 
TORD, he was promiited to a captaincy in the Otith New York Volun- 
teer Infantry. This rej-iinent was one of the last two New Y'ork reg- 
iments to be mustered out (Adjidanl-Ge.nf.raV a [State of J\'ew yorh] 
Report, 18(i<>, 1, 281), on the (ith February, 8(i6. rhe Third Annual 
Report of the. Xtw York Bureau nf iMililary Statistics (page 349 stales 
that the 20th Nhw York State Militia (or Sitlh New York Volunteer 
Infantry) was "the last regiment ot the 'Army of the Potomac' to 
leave ih It field," Virginii. I'he dale of its " muster out." however, 
is 29th January, 18(i(). It matters not, however, which was the last 
to lay aside its mihtarv responsibilities. In both. Red IIo k was 
represented, and well represented. See Ai'Pkndix, '• liioprnphicnl 
,S7,-e/t/i," also, H. b. Dawson's " T/i« First Ftag over Kidimoiid," or 
" The Coi.oKs of the Unitkj) Si atks first raised over the Cai'Itoi. of the, 
Confedkrate States, April 3, 186.5, Morrisania, X. i' , 1800;" 
HoKACK Gbeelky's " The Amet-ican Conflici," ii, 737-'8, etc., etc. 



19 

w«," the sentiment misapplied by Lincoln's parri- 
oi !al assassin, liad waved tor nearly fonr years as the 
arrogant symbol of an nnmirigated and unchangeable 
expression of the doctrine of State Rights. Accord- 
ingly, when it was hauled dow-n, and tlic supplanting 
Stars and Stripes streamed oat distended by the gale, 
no one who beiield it could misunderstand the inter- 
pretation. Like a rich jewel, set in a gorgeous 
frame of ebony and gold, '• Old Glory " shone amid 
the conflagration which filled tlie air with roar and 
ruin. It was as clear in its signification as the hand- 
writing on the wall to the abandoned and doomed 
BEf.snAZZAR. State Kights and Southern princijiles 
had been weighed in the balance, and had been found 
wanting ; th<^ might and dominion of slavery had 
been broken and departed for ever. Babylon llie 
mighty had fallen! Lucifer, the sou of the raorning, 
had been bronglit low. 

'• An f nJ at last ! the echoes of the war — 

The weary war beyond the western waves- 
Die in the distance ; Freedom's rising star 
Beacons above six hundred thousand graves ! " 

" The graves of heroes who have won the fight— 
Who, in the storming of the stubborn town, 
\ Have rung the marriage peal of Might and Eight, 

And scaled the clitJs and cast the dragon down." 

The first American fiag over Richmond was not 
only the testimony of the total suppression of tlio 
"Slaveliolders' Reliellion," but of the Nation's tri- 
umpli over Secession, and Nullification State Rights — 
the Rebel Confederacy. 

Before the Rebels fired on Sumter, the Stars and 
Strijjes had been the harbinger of liberty and pros- 
perity. Tiie R(!be] rag had brought with it and upon 
its siipportei-s, misery and ruin. Now again " Old 
Glory ■' floated maie>tically over the destruction wliich 
the substitution of the Rebel ensign had occasioned — 
over the waste and woe wrougtit out by the fire 
and sword, evoked by the South as their chosen 
ar\)itrators. The display of our Flag on the 3d April, 
1865, in the Capital of Virginia, up"n the State fiag- 
statf. was the token of the termination of four years' 
inexcusable rebellion against the best Government on 
earrji. 

From Baltimor<' to Richmond — to the surrender of 
Lee and Johnston — Red Hook was al .vaysw orthily 
and numerously represented. 

At the firs*^ batile ot Bull Run, a son of Red Hook, 
Frederic de Peyster. Junior, was present, and dis- 
charging his duty when tiie Union rear guard re- 
pulsed the Rebel cavalry like jackalls snai)ping at the 
heels of the mishandled, overtasked, wounded and 
exhausted, but unconquered lion. 



20 

AiiDtlier ollicor, wliu niiglit be said to belong to 
this district, since for years lie coiniiianded Us Mi- 
litia, and <lrille(l many ol its men, who afterwards dis- 
tiiiijnislied themselves^ was a^fajorin the 1st Uriizade. 
Blexkek's 5th Division, which covered the Union re- 
■ treat at this same fitst Bnll Run. 

This otHcer, William P. WAiNWiaGiiT, bel n;ed to 
the 29th Xew York, wiiose lieantiful Battle Flag 
. was presented liy a lady of this vicinity (Miss Estelle 
Elizahetii he Pevsteu), by the hands of the speaker, 
intheircamj) near .\loxandi'ia,Va.. justas tlie refxiinenr. 
was inovinpiotf to the first f^rand conflict of the war, 
and onl a few days before it occurred. 

This flag was present in every aff.iir, combat or 
battle in wliicii tliat regiment was engaged, and it 
was returned hlac'-ened and torn, but covered with 
glorious scars, to Tivoli, when the 2()tii a-as mus-. red 
out, Gtli June, 180:5. 

In the crisis of Bull Run, Surgeon de Pevster per- 
f(jrmed a niarveilous feat of energy and enduranc . 
He saw the last shots lired which repulsed tha' 
famous inythical Black Horse cavalrj- in their attempt 
to pick up {)risoners. This was just before our re- 
serve pickets were withdrawn and our Ufibroken rear 
fell back, not beaten, but retiring in obedience to 
orders. Would that time permitted an exposition of 
the true history of this battle Our soldiers did not 
not lose this battle, nor was the battle necessarily 
lost when tiie Pvcservc division was withdrawn. 

Surgeon de Pevster's coolness, courage, prompti- 
tude and energy won iiim the commendation and 
warm remembrance of General Blenkeu, of Colonel, 
then Major Wainwright. and of Assistant Surgeon 
Williams, 1st N. Y. Artillery. The wounded in the 
temporary hospital at Centreville owe what atten- 
tion they received to Surgeons Williams and de 
Pevstek and another whose naiuc has never been re- 
ported. They may not reniemi)er our Red Hook youth 
by name, for all was hurry and confusion — as is almost 
invariably th- case with a retreating army — but they 
will remimiber the apparent boy who lavished his 
attentions upon them with such assiduousness. 

R-^turning homeward on horseback after being mus- 
tered out, he followed the Old Post H ad along the 
Hudson, and, in the mountains of Putnam County 
was overtaken by night ami an almost tropical tem- 
pest. He soon lost his way in the rain and darkness, 
and wandering at landom, applied at a fai'm house 
for shelter. On the plea that no man was at home 
lie was refused admittance by tiie woman who came 
to the doo . He then retjuested j)ermissi()n to harboi" 
in the barn until daylight ; the woman conceded a re- 
reluctantconsent, more b^' silence than by words. In 



21 

the barn then the young officer lay down on the straw 
beside his faithfnl gray which had carried him over 80 
miles on half a feed to and from the famous Stone 
Bridge, over the red Bidl Run. Wet, worn out and 
hungry he soon fell asleep. A short time afterward 
he was roughly awakened and saw a man standing 
over him with a lantern. "Are you a Union sol- 
dier?" were the first words addressed to him. 
' Yes, I am, and I am on my way home from the 
battle on the Potomac.' ''If j^ou are a Union sol- 
dier," said the brute, doubtless a good peace demo- 
crat, ''you cannot harbor here." Little more passed 
l)etween them. The owner would neither furnish 
lodging for money nor concede a shelter for love of 
country or respect for the National uniform ; forth the 
yoiMig man had to go and wander on in the rain and 
darkness until daylight. Then he found the road 
which brought him chilled and half famished into 
Cold Spring. 

It is a pity that the name of this Putnam County 
sympathizer with the Rebellion cannot be made 
known. The officer could furnish no clue, for few dis- 
tricts are rougher and wilder than the one he, a per- 
fect stranger to had traversed amid the darkness and 
);torra. It was not likely that a man who had acted 
so meanly and inhospitably would tell the story of his 
own shame. This incident, however, <iemonstrates 
what numerous examples afteward proved, that there 
was a party at the North perfectly worthy of affilia- 
tion with the Southern chivalry and as ready as the 
latter to do all the evil that they dared do to h 
Northern soldier. 

Previous to the month of August, 1862, volun- 
teering in the town of Red Hook was only the result 
of individual, patriotic impulse. It was exceptional. 
This renders th*f enlisttnents in the Spri g of l8fil 
the more remarkable, inasmuch as they were the re- 
sult of mere energetic thought and action. Conse- 
quently, they are the nmre worthy of attention and 
record ; just as in epidemics, the first scattering or 
sporadic cases are always the most violent and fatal, 
and, therefore, the more deserving of careful remem- 
brance. J 

That this Town did not furnish a "Wing of a R« gi- 
raent, or at least, several Companies in the Spring and 

I From the records ot ••ustice Frederic H. Burnett, Madalin, 
very impertVct but the best accessible. Red Hook furnished, 1861, 
A)jril, noted, IH Volunteers; August, 31, when the 20th New York 
State Militia went ou' us the 80th New York Volunteers; September, 
2S ; October, 4 ; November, 1 ; December, 1 ; 1862, May, 1 ; .lune, 1 ; 
August, 32 (during this month the first War Meeting was held at 
Madalm, and the result shows the benefit of such Convocations) or, 
according to another account, G'J ; September, 41 ; October, 4 ; 1863, 
January, 3 ; February, 1 ; Apiil, 1 ; September, prior to draft, 3. 



early Suiiiriior of 18G1, was inure owiiijj; to Sewahd's 
Ninety days' \v;ir Prediction, and the ernniocnis calcu- 
lation of thoso in auiliority, tliaii 1o the fault of tlic 
leading ])atrioi'(' inen of Red Hook. An utter i-f 
three |iieke(l regimonfs from the C-unties of Duchess 
and Columbia was made to President Lixcolx him- 
self, at the While House, hy the Speaker, in Max, 
1861. Tliese reginn nis were to have been ofMcared l>y 
the first men ot our Senatorial District. The Colonel 
sucgeHted for the Isi was AVii.i.iam P. WaixwukjIiT, 
of'liiiinebeek. in May, 18G1, Major 29th New York 
Volunteers, then Lieutenant Colonel 54tli New York 
Volunteers, then Colonel 7(ith New York Volunteers. 
Tile Colonel of the 2nd was to iiave lieeii Ciiaim.es S. 
'■'"Waixwkigiit, . f PJiineheek. 12Lh Noveiniier. 18(51. 
Major 1st June, 18G2. Colonel l^r Moraaii N. Y. Liiriit 
.\rtillery. ' Ja:mes Mi:i.fo]u>, of Hudson, my dear and 
valued friend, was designated Coh nel of the Hrd. 
He was formerly Lieutenant-Colonel of the 22iid 
N. Y. S. M., and Assistant Adjutant-General, S.N. Y., 
in tiie Winter of 1855. It is scarcely possilde to diiubt 
that he owed his deatii to his untiring effort;; in assist- 
ing Colonel David S. Cowi.es to eomplete the org.m 
ization of the 43d (?) New York Volunteers. Ctdouel 
Mii.FoKD iiiially fell a victim, after month-' of indis- 
position, to lyphoid fever in tin- Fall of 1801. 

The rejection of tl.is offer, wlien related to the vet- 
eran General Mansfield, who fell at Antietam, it 
called forth his indignant remark, that if the war 
authorilies jiursued such a policy tiie Reliels could not 
be kejjt South of the Potomac. 

The months of August and September. 18G1, wit- 
nessed quite a lively movement i this Town. When, 
on the 25tii of October, the 20th New York State 
Militia returned to the field as the 80tii New York 
Volunteer Lifaiitry, Company B C(unpri>ed twenty- 
five young men ironiTivoli, Madalin, and their vicinity, 
besides others in Company A and dispersed throughout 
the organization. This constitutes one of Red Hook's 
three representative regiments As tliey will be re- 
ferred to more at length hereafter, in an ai)propriate' 
place, let us resume the consideration of individuals 
who went out froT our midst, rose to iiigh rank, and 
survived. 

While thus our sons and brotiiers were stemming 
the tide of battle on the land, another from Red 
Hook was assisting to maintain the honor of the Flag 
in the Gulf and upon the Mississippi's flood. This was 
CiiAnLEsIlE.vuY Tii,r.or.sox, belonging to araee connect- 
ed with the glories of th'j war of 1812. As Aide to Cap 
tain SwAiiTiiouv, of the Portsmouth, he participated 
in that •' River Figlir," which will live in naval story 



23 

while iiuvies r'de tlie w:ives. Witli Farragi-t "the 
Pecrk'ss,-" he assisted in that fearful combat, which 
K>:-ced the passage of tliose forts which were deemed 
ti.e impassable barriers of the aseeot to New Orleans. 
Wl en our une<iiia]led sea-chief, who, in himself, 
united the highest (pialities of Ilolhuurs Ruytek, 
GauTs-uu QuESXE, and England's Nelson — that tri- 
umvirate of mariiime skill, audacity and valor — had 
overcome the opposing batteries and fleets, and made 
tlie Crescfiit City once more the property of the 
Niitioii, young Tili.otson volunteered on board tlie 
Tennessee, to ascend the Missis^-ippi and carry stores to 
our army and navy above, which were descending and 
vaii(]nisirnig he up))er river defences of the Rebels. 
After a varied service in the Gulf and River he re- 
turned home, enjoying the proud satisfaction of liav- 
iiig been one of the heroic band who were with Fau- 
EAorT when he sn:ote the Rebellion in the far Soutli- 
VI est by sea and by shore. 

Tlie Fall and Winter of 18G1 and 18G'3 were barren 
of laurels in the Army of the Potomac, but they Avere 
prolific in hardships. During this menacing lull there 
wVre scores of our citizens scattered through the vari- 
ous regiments which composed it. Several belonged to 
tliat tamousNEv.- Jersey Brigade which Major (then 
Rrigadier-General) Philip Ivearxy drilled into a 
])hidanx ot iron. Olhersenlisted in the popular Peo- 
ple's Ellsworth Avexoel'S (Forty-fourth New York 
Y(dunteers), which belonged to the brigade command- 
ed by General DA^'IEL Buttep.field, and a magnificent 
brigade it was. I saw it parade on a dark and dreary 
November afternoon in 1801, and in all my military 
observations^ '.vhich have been very extensive, I never 
saw a niovf stalwart or more soldierly bod}' of men. 
General Butterfield's Senior Aide-de-camp was 
Robert L. Livixgston. brother of Mrs. J( nxsTON Liv- 
jNGSTox, of 'livoli. This handsome olficer continued 
to serve with credit and fidelity throughout all the sub- 
sequent operations of the Army of the Potomac, 
througliout the Peninsular Campaign, and tlie con- 
cluding battles und< r that enigma Pope, at Antietam, 
and at Fredericksburg (first). After this last battle, 
severe illness, incurred in the field, compelled him to 
leave the service, lint not until he had proved liiinself 
on m- iiv an occasion a gallant and eneigetic soldier. 

Wliilf the Army of the Potomac was still lying in 
the mild of its Winter quarters at Washington, another 
youth of Red Ilook — J. Watts de Peyster, Junr. — 
left the Law Scliool of Columbia College, and took a 
jirominent idacein its ranks as volunteer aide-de-cami) 
to ills cousin General Philip Kearxy. He was with 
that impetuous Commander when he struggled through 



24 

the April iiiin.- lo occupy tlie Rebel works at Manassas 
Junction. Among the troops who led the way upon 
this occasion was onr first representative regiment. 
Twentieth New '^'ork State Militia. As it had been 
among the tirst to volimteer, so again it was among the 
first to move at tlie first opportunity, and even so it 
was always atnong the foremost and ^•taunc'lest in 
every subsetjuent operation unto the very last day of 
its protracted career. 

General Kear.w, whom lientenant-General Scott 
pronounced the " bravest m.m he ever knew, and the 
best soldier," sulisequently declared, a tew days after 
the battle of Fair Oaks, that his young "aide was as 
brave as himself, and an excellent otficer, and a very 
correct young gentleman." In hisrepoit of Williams- 
burg, the blnoiliest battle, perhaps, of the whole war, 
as regards tlie troops actually engat;ed, Kearxy men- 
tioned, "my volunteer aide Mr. Watts De Peyster 
bore himself handsomely in this his first action."' Re- 
warded with the commission of first lieutenant in 
Scott's 900 Cavalry, Colonel, now Brigadier General 
SwAix, Engineer in Chief S. N. Y., certified that he 
had '' occasion to notice and appreciate his zeal, in- 
telligence, faithfulness, and integrity." " I had occa- 
sion," he added, " afterwards to regret his promoti<m 
to another regiment as a loss to the company which 
he commanded in my regiment, for I felt that with 
experience, which he was rapidly acquiring, he would 
have been one of the best of cavalry officers." 

Promoted to a majority in the First New York 
(Morgan) light artillery, he joined his command at 
Harrison's Landing and was present with his batteries 
during the famous night attack of 31st July, 1862. 
Thence stricken with malarial fever, he managed to re- 
turn home l)efore he succumbed. For four months it 
was a struggle between life and death, and it was only 
in the Spring of 1863 that he was again able to take 
the field. At the battle of Chanccllorsville or Freder- 
icksburg second, he was chief of artillery of tlie Third 
Division, Sedowick's, Sixth Corps. Brigadier-General 
A. P. Howe, Commanding Division, wrote under date 
15th May, 1863, "Major De Peyster was with my 
division in the actions fouglit <>n the 3d and 4th in.st., 
and it gives me pleasure tusay toyou that he acquitted 
himself with honor." 

Finally, it is no more than just t(» cite the language 
of " Fi(;irriNO Joe" Hooker in regard to this young 
officer, who received his baptism of fire under his eyes 
at Williamsburg : "Permit me to recommejid Major 
J. W. De Peyster for promotion to the brevet ranii ( f 
lieutenant-colonel. ^[ajor De Peyster entered the 
service as an aide-de-camp to Major-General Keajjst, 



25 

atul w.-is fj:reatly distinguished tV)r gidluiitry and good 
conduct at tlie battle of Williani^bm-g. Siibsequeutly 
he served under me at the battle of Chancellorsville, 
Avhere he w as no less remarked fur his coolness and 
courage, and is, in my judgment, eminently deserving 
the distinction recjuested for him." 

Lieutenant-Colonel ve Petstek never recovered 
from tlie etfects of the fever, and he was honorably 
dischargjd as of date 14ti) August, 1863. 

Another son (jf Red Hook next in regular order of 
events, played a conspicuous part in suppressing the 
'• Slaveliolders' Rebellion," Louis Livingston, youngest 
surviving son ot Hou. John S. Livingston, of Tivoli. 
Appointed additional Aide-de-camp U. S. Army, with 
tlie rank of captain, he was assigned as senior aide to 
Brigadier-General, afterward Major-General S. W. 
Ckavvfoki), of Pennsylvania. At Antietam, his first 
battle, his courage was so conspicuous that he received 
the brevet of major; and at Gettysl)urg, the decisive 
hattle of the war. he is said to iiave accompanied hia 
general leading a decisive charge, for which he was 
hrevetted lieutenant-colonel. I have seen a letter in 
Vhicb his general attested his gallantry in the warmest 
and most flattering language. In this ch irge General 
Crawford and his aide. Captain Louis Livingston, 
were the only two mounted officers in front of the line 
and were ex[)osed to a double d 'Uger, from the fire of 
the excited troops following, as well as from that of the 
opposing Rebel force. General Crawford distinguished 
himself on this occasion by i-mulating the example of 
the famous Archduke Charles at Aspern, carrying 
the ban er of the First Pennsylvania Reserves, which 
was pierced and torn with bullets, just as the 
Austrian commander excited the courage of his troops 
by seizing and bearing forward the co'ors of Zach's 
veteran Austrian grenadiers. 

This br ntis me in the regular order of events to 
September. 1862. 

Red Hook may hesa d to have had three representa- 
tive regiments in the field. The first, the Twentieth, I 
have already alluded to ; the second was the One Hun- 
dredand twenty-cgbth New York. In the color com- 
pany, C, of this regiment 21 of our townsmen were pres- 
ent. This, one of th*- very firstto volunteer, was one of 
the very last regiments from New York in the LTnited 
States service. The third was the One Hundred and 
Fiftieth New York infantry. Its adjutant, Stephen 
VAN Rensselaer C'pacER * was another of Red Hook's 
heroic young men. He went out as First Lieu- 



* A more detailed noticf of 'hi< officer, likewise of Seraeant T. B. 
Paui-mier and Corporal Peter W. Fu.sk, all ot' l*ed Hook, will ap- 
pear in the Appendix. 



26 

tenant of Company F, bat was its nctual com- 
nianiler at Gettysburg. Subsequently transferred to 
the staff, be acrjuired the confidence not only of his 
immediate superiors, I'Ut of all the Generals with 
whom be came in contact, ofRcially. After partici- 
pating- in Siif.rman's famous march, he I'eturned in 
command of Companj- A. In ,2;iving an account of 
the services of this (his) regiment {IfjOth New York 
Volunteers). Colonel, now BrigadierGenei-al Ai.krku 
B. Smith, of Poughkeepsie, bore ample testimony to 
the merit of young Cruuer. He remaiked : ''Amcmg 
the wounded at the battle of Ressaca, 14th-15tli 
May. 18G4, w s our noble Adjutant, now Brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel, Stephen van Rensselaer Crl- 
GKR (now Brevet Major F. S. Volunteers. Lieutenant- 
Colonel New Yolk Volunteers), who was every inch a 
man and a soldier of the liighe t qualities. He 
was beloved by all, and maintained th^ brightest 
record for bravery fortitude and all the qualities that 
go to make up a man. His wounds were pronounced 
mortal, but. owing to his irreproachable mode of life 
and unimpaired constitution, he recovered and re- 
joined lis at Atlanta, thence marched with us to the 
coast, and. through Richmond and Washington, 
home.'' This young officer, aged 20, belonged to the 
Upper District of Red Hook. It is a pleasant thought 
for those who are connected with him, to feid that his 
native town was in him so ably, bravely and worthily 
represented. Although our immediate vicinity was 
not numerously represented in this organization, 
it included many volunteers from the town of Red 
Hook, but principall}' from the Lower District. One 
young man of 25, John McGill, of Upper Red Hook, 
made for himself an honorable record. Two weeks 
after his enlistment (1st October, 1862), he was made 
a sergeant (15th October). On the 29th July, 1864, 
he was promoted to be first or orderly sergeant, and. 
for meritorious conduct, be was commissioned second 
lieutenant Company B (30th November), with rank 
from 6th September, 1864. 

The last individual to be especially referred to, de- 
serves a particular mention, if for no other reason 
than because he went out a private, and returned as 
first lieutenant, commanding his (color) company (C) 
in the One Hundred and Twentj^-eighth regiment. 
His rank dates from 19th December, 1863. His first 
commission of second lieutenant was conferred for 
good conduct before Port Hudson, in June and July 
of the preceding year. He had been made sergeant a 
few days after the organization of his regiment. 

In the Spring of 1864, the One Hundred and Twenty - 
eighth formed part of that ill-planned and ill-starred 
expedition under B.\nks, suggested or prescribed Vjy 



27 

the ever blundering- Halleck. Destined to capture 
Shreveport, disperse Kirby Smith's Trans-Mississippi 
army, recover Texas, and gather a boundless booty 
of cotton, it resulted in calamities which fell the most 
severely on the least deserving of them— the rank and 
file of the sacrificed troops. 

Although the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth 
covered itself with glory, none of its laurels were re- 
served for the subject of this notice. While his com- 
rades were fighting, he was tasting the bitterest fruits 
of captivit}' among the most barbarous of the Rebel 
barbarians. His experience is woithy of narration 
and attention. 

Near Alexandi'ia, Lieutenant Joh.n H. Hagar — de- 
tached to sui)erintend the loading of a steamer with 
the Southern staple, inasmuch, as was remarked. 
PoRTF.R •■ had cotton on the brain" — was taken pris- 
oner, 28th March, 1804. The in^ idents of his c-ip- 
tivity are too interesting for omission, since they aftbrd 
reliable testimony of what our Northern men suffered 
when they were exposed, without means of resist- 
ance, to the tender mercies of the wicked, those devils 
\n human (orm. the bonier Rebels. What is more, his 
storv is corroborated in the main by the narrative 
of a cousin of the speaker, William R. Whitmaesh, 
Marion, Marion County, Ohio. First Sergeant, 
Ninety-sixth Ohio A^olunteers, who also belonged to 
Banks's Expedition, and was captured at Mansfield. 
8th April, 1864, and likewise was carried into Texas. 

After his capture, Lieutenant Hagar was marched 
to Homer, in Nortli -rn Louisiana, and kept in close con- 
finement for about one month in a log jail eigiiteen 
feet squ re inside surrounded by guards, and daily 
tlireatened with all the deviltry of treatment, for 
which the chivalry were so famous. Thence he was 
transferred to Shreveport,* on the Upper Red River, 
the objective of BANKs'scampaign, whicli, through their 
genera Is blundering, the privates never reached exc( pt 
as ill treated prisoners. On his way thither Lieu- 
tenant Hagar was marched 56 miles in 35 hours, on 
two and a half rations, under a guard of cavalry. On 
reaching the prison door he was so completely ex- 
hausted that he not only could not stand, but fell 
upon the threshold. At this place he was confined, 
together with 180 rank and file, in a single room, so 
densely crowded that all could not lie down at one 
time. ' His food e ch day consisted of but one ration. 
Tliis comprised a small piece of corn bread about the 
size of the palm of a man's hand, and three ounces of 
rotten pork. 

From Shreveport, Lieutenant Hagar, together with 

* Third Annual Rejiort of Bureau Military Stntistic--, 1866. rage412. 



28 

other IJniuu jii'isoners, were goaded on about 110 
miles to Cain|) Foi'd, in Tyler Township, Smith 
County,* in Northeastern Texa-*. Here he was kept 
lor about live months, up to October 3d, 1864. He 
was exchanged aijout the time that his < omrades had 
harvested their laurels in the Shenandoah Valley. 

The journey from Shreveport to Camp Ford, 110 
miles, was performed in Hve days, under a guard of 
semi-barbarous Texan cavahw. These forced marches 
were uuide on such rations tiiat it is hard to under- 
stand how the prisoners maintained sufficient strength 
to crawl along. Each man received per day two 
ounces of pt)or bacon, and six ounces of the coarsest 
corn meal, cob and grain ground up togetlier. 

Each of the I'exan mounted guards carriecl his 
larriat (a long cord with a noose) hung at his saddle- 
bow, and ready for use. If a Union prisoner gave out 
and fell, too weak to walk, a Texan Ranger would 
throw this larriat over him, so that the noose would 
catcii him around the waist or neck, and try and 
force him on his feet. If unable to totter on, the 
Texan savage would drag him along the ground. 
Hagar often saw Union prisoners killed in this way. 
Not one man recovered or survived who was treated 
in this barbarous manner. President Johnson is said 
to have stated that, upon one occasion, the Rebels 
got him down, choked him until he opened his mouth, 
and then squirted tobacco juice down his throat. 
Painful and disgusting as such treatment must have 
been, it was merciful and decent to that which North- 
ern men experienced, systematically, from their 
guards, as ferocious as the wildest Indians. 

On this march, while passing a settlement. Lieu- 
tenant Hagak saw a comrade, faint with fatigue and 
worn down with fever, step desperately out of the 
ranks, {)ass through a little gate, and enter a front 
yard, with a guard following him, and a lot of half 
wild dogs barking and snappiuii around him At th- 
door stood a woman with a broomstick in her hand. 
To this female devil he addressed his petition for some- 
thing to eat to save him from utter starvation, stating 
how long he had been sick, and how very sick he had 
been 

Under similar circumstances Mungo Pakk, the 
celebrated African traveler, dropped by the wayside 
in the midst of a district, inhabited by a race whom 
white men are accustomed to style the mosf savage 
negroes. Was he left there to perish ? No ! Negro 
women found him, nursed him, nourished him, anci 
sent him away cured and reinvigorated. 

Let us see how a Texan white farmer's wife will 

* Third Ann. Report Bureau of Military Statistics, 1866. Ps. 413-' 1 7 . 



29 

compare with a negrcss in the state of nature To 
our Northern brother's piteous appeal the she-fury 

replied : '• Get away from ray house you d d 

Yankee brute; T would not give you a mouthful to 
eat if you were lying starving at my feet." With 
this, simultaneously, she struck at him with her 
broom and set her dogs, less ferocious than she 
was, at the poor, famished, exhausted, fever-stricken 
Northerner. There are men in this town, indeed — 
they are to be talked with every day — who justify 
and excuse the Rebels. They are willing to vote 
with them, and vote against their Northern brethren, 
and, doubtless, would fight, side by side with the 
Rebels, against them if they had the opportunity. 
There are rich men at the North feel so — educated 
men, and they have misled others, well to do and sen- 
sible in their business, into holding the same wicked 
opinions. With such experience before us, if they 
have not a hell in their bosoms, there must he a hell 
hereafter. 

The poor p isoner alluded to, was forced back into 
the ranks and dragged along. 

At Camp Ford the prisoners were somewhat better 
treated. They re eived at times a little poor beef, 
but the rations were never sufficient to satisfy a hearty 
man. A small man could manage to exist; a large 
man was always half starved. If any one attempted 
to escape his treatment was brutal after his capture. 

The speaker's cousin, a fine, brave fellow, enlisted 
at the commencement of the war, at Marion, Marion 
County. Ohio, in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteers. 
He is brother-in-law to a gentleman, Thomas Stkeat- 
FiELD Clarkson, residing only a few miles from 
Madalin He did not want a commission, l^>ut for per- 
sistent gallantry, especially at the siege of Vicks- 
bu'g, he ro-!e to be First Sergeant of his ccm^pany. 
Like Lieutenant Hagar, he was captured in the Red 
River Expediti(m, near Mansfield, on or Mliout the 8th 
April, 18G4. He, too, was carried into Texas, and con- 
fined in a prison camp, or corral in that State. He 
made his • scape, and got away sixty miles, was hunted 
with bloodhounds, taken, dragged back, and upon 
his arrival at the prison, was tied up by the thuuibs 
for fortv-eight hours. This is a terrible punishment, 
especially for sucli a heavy man as he is, weighing in full 
health near 200 | ounds. Those who escaped with him 
and were brought back, in addition to being: tied up 
bv the thumbs, were flogged like dogs. Sergeant 
Whitmarsh does not say that he was flogged. A 
proud man does not like to admit that he has suffered 

su h an indignitv. 

* * " ' * * * * * 

Through these three reg ments, and through itg 



30 

townsmen scattered over 47 to 50 regiments, Red 
Hook became and continu d to be connected witli the 
war in every section of tin- country. 

* * ■* * " * * ^ 

Subsequently the One Hundred and Tweuty-eightli 
formed part of tlie disastrous lied Iliver expedition. It 
belonged to Emory's famous Nineteenth ( '(M-ps and 
Groveks distinguished fighting First Division. Tliis 
corps and this division saved the Army, and on various 
occasions, where o'her regiments were compelled to 
give way, the One Hundred and Twenty -eightli ti^- 
trieved the fate of the day. 

AV'hile ti<ilitin<; t^n the tied River tlie One Hundred 
and Twenty-eigiith found a memorial of Red Hook re- 
plete with recollections nf the psist. and aupiiries for 
the future 

Some years ago, a friend of the speakei-, the ivev. 
Tho;\[AS Scott Bacox, founded a Protestant Episco- 
pal Church in the old, bigoted Roman Catholic 
town of Natchitoches, an advance-guard of prot:ress in 
the midst, of moral and religious stagnatitm. This Mi'. 
.B.A.CON, a trueUnion patriot, was forced by the Rebels to 
abandon his home, and his plantation near Alexandria, 
was ruined. He i hen acted as chaplain in our Naw, and 
when the steam frigate Richmond passed the batteries 
of Port Hudson, batteries which destroyed her consort 
the Mississippi, he stood beside her captain on the 
bridge between the paddle-boxes, amid that rain of 
})all and shell, to set an example and to show that a 
Christian pastor was as willing to risk his life as any 
soldier or sailor for his country. 

Prior to the war, the speaker sent out a beautiful and 
costly bell for Mr. B.\con"s recently completed church. 
When Beaureg.\rd called upon th- Southern people 
to give him all their bells, from church to planta- 
tion bells, to melt into can ion, this Northern bell 
was one of the few which was not transferred from 
God's service to the devil's service. Well may the 
term devil's service be used, for if ever the devil had 
a cause upon earth it was the caue of the Rebels, and 
they performed his service consistently and are at it, 
still, as fiir as they are able. 

This bell rang our boys into Natchitoches. Geokcje 
P. Simmons saw it there. It rang out a joyful peal 
when the Stars and Stripes were hoisted over that 
eminently Rebel place. And although it witnessed 
our disastrous retreat, it continued to hang in its 
tower to ring out another jo3^ful peal — that peal 
which announced the universal triumph of the I'nion 
arms. Hereafter it should be deemed sacred, for no 
bell has ever survived greater perils at the hands of 
sacrilig<ious men. 



31 

Wliile the service of the 20th N. Y. S. M. was confined 
to the operations of the Arm\' of the Potomac, dischar-i;- 
ing in the hitter part of its term the vexatious but 
most necessary duties of the provost guard, the 128th 
and the 150tli moved in orbits far moi-e eccentric and 
extensive. 

Of these th'"ee Regiments the 20th had un(louV)t- 
edly a larger share of the hardest fighting during the 
war ; thf 12Sth had a proportionate sliare in the suf- 
fering and exposure ; while for the ir)Oth was re- 
served a Benjamin's portion of that exercise in whose 
judicious application, Marshal Saxk said, lies the secret 
of success. Ilis words were that the victory dep' nds 
rather upon the soldiers'' legs than upon the soldicTs' 
arms. In this part of tlie soldier's duty, marching, 
the palm must, be certainly conceded to the 150tli. 
since, after participating in the decisive battle at the 
East, Gettysburg — a bloody, startling, first appear- 
a- ce for them-tliey were transferr d to Grant. 
Then, under Sherman, they fought their way, by 
months of almost uninterrupted skirmish and battle, 
to Atlanta, and, thence, made that march, pre-eminent 
among all famous marches, which carried •' Old 
"" Glory '' with forbearance through (reorgia, into 
Savannah ; and thence, with tire and sword, through 
South Carolina, the birthplace of Secession, winding 
up their tramp or circuit of between 1.500 and 2 000 
ii\iles with their triumphant procession through 

Washington. 

,k '" -H- * ■::• ■■f * * 

The history of tiie first, the Twentieth, is the his- 
tory of vhe Army of the Potomac. Inpartof 18G1 and 
1862 it was under Colonel CJeorge W. Pratt, mortally 
wounded at Bull P.un, second. Among the killed 
were 5 privates. Company B, from Madalin, and ?> 
wounded from the neighborhood. Subsequently it 
was cominaded by Colonel, now Brevet Brigadier- 
General, Theodoke B. Gates, whom his men looked 
np to as a father. General Gates testifies that ''this 
(his) regiment was a model of discipline and good con- 
duct, as orderly in camp as it was brave and efficient 
in battle." Gener 1 Patrick, af ervvards Provost 
Marshal- General of the Army of the Potomac, who had 
it in his brigade in 18G2, was never satisfied until he 
got it i)ack under him after he had been transferred to 
a more extensive, difficult and influential sphere His 
opinion of it was as high, if not higher, than that of its 
immediate commander. •' Nine color-bearers (2d Ann. 
Eep. Bur. Mil. Stat., 1805, p. 165) fell under its 
National Flair at the second Bull Run, and the regi- 
ment lost 35 killed and 232 wounded, in the campaign 
of 1862. while fighting under these colors."' Under 
McDowell, ^IcClell.^n, Popk. Burnsioe, Hooker, 



32 

Meade, and Grant it was present in almost every 
battle tbuf^lit by the Armj' of the Potomac. 

They participated in the operations which reopened 
and kept open the road to Washington n the Spring 
of 1861. and m the taming of rebellious and blood- 
stained Baltimore. This was one of the boldest feat.s 
of audacity which the annals of war record. They 
garrisoned belea-iuered Washington and did their duty 
gloriously in the first disastrous conflict of Bui Run — 
disastrous b cause it was accepted as a defea by a 
general wlio, neither at that time nor any future time, 
showed that he was capable of making himself the 
possessor of liis soldiers' confidence. A general who 
cannot win the affections of his subordinates and in- 
spire them with a saving faith in his ability is not the 
general to acC'Unplish great things either for his coun- 
try'.s glor}' o\- his own reputation, however high a rank 
he may hold ms a strategist or as a tactician. Still in 
justice it must be said that few plans of operations 
were more ably conceived than those which emanated 
frurn the brain and pen of General McDowell in July, 
1861. His subsequent and subordinate movements, 
liowever, were so faulty, and his troops so bidly 
handled that the boastful aggressive which was to 
carry " Old Glory " on and into Richmond, terminated 

t The regiment left Kingston, N. Y., October 28, 1861 ; was attached 
to Wadsworth's brigade, McDowell's division ; and, during the 
Winter of 18()l-2, lay at Upton's Hill, Va. There appears to be no 
Annual Report which is acces';ible for 1801. This egiment advanced 
to Centreviile with the Army of the >'"toinao Marcti lo, 1862; returned 
to Upton's Hill March 16th ; left Bailey's Cross Roads, April 4th, 
under General Patrick ; reached Falmouth, April 19th, being the 
2d brigade to arrive ; crossed the Rappahannock May 18th, and was the 
first and only brigade which at that time entered Fredericksburg, and 
was picketed on the heigh s in sight of the enemy ; started by the 
overland route for Richmond May 26th, but when eii/hl miles oat 
was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley af cr " Stonewall" Jackso.n ; 
from Haymarket returned to Falmouth, via Warrenton, arriving on 
the 24th of June ; crossed to Fredericksburg with the 21st Xew York 
Volunteers, .July 28th, and established a chain of sentinels entirely 
around the city, cutting off its communication with the surroundinar 
country ; marched for Culpepper, August 9th, to join Pope on the 
Rapidan ; retreated from the Rapidan, August 19th ; engaged at 
Norman's Ford on the Rappahannock August 21st, loss ten killed and 
wounded ; at Sulphur Springs August 26th, loss six wounded ; 
inarched fir Centieville Augmt 27th. Our division i King's), 6 000 
strong, engaeed the enemy under "Stonewall"' Jackson, 30th 
August, at Manassas, second Bull Run, where the regiment lost 
248 killed, wounded and captured out of 420 engaged ; returned to 
Cetreville, and, in Doubi.eday's division, just oa Kearny's right, 
engaged at Chantilly September 1st, loss sixteen killed and wounded 
out of ninety ; returned to Upton's Hill Septerabtr 2d ; marched into 
Maryland September 7th, and engaged at South Mountain, without 
loss ; and also at Antietam, loss forty-seven killed and wou ded out 
of 127 engaged ; crossed into Virginia October 30th, and marched 
towar^ts Fredericksburg ; took part in the bittle of 13th and 14rh 
and t.5th of Decomb'T. January 9, 1863, the brigade to which it 
belonged was detailed as Provost Guard of the Array of the Potomac, 
and continued on that duty at Aquia Creek, Va. For full and fur- 
ther details of the " Movements, Service and Discipline " of his reg- 
iment, during the years 18fi2-'3-'4-'5, until mustered out, fee Appev- 
oix. 



33 

in a rout which, although more partial than was rep- 
resented at the time by prejudiced writers, was 
sufficiently complete to convert that advance to an 
assured victory into a humiliating retreat back within 
those defences thrown up for the preservation of our 
capital. 

The representatives of our town upon that occision 
were not among the Hying thousands, and one of them, 
Assistant Surgeon Fkederic de Peyster, Junr., saw 
the last shots fired which repulsed the pursuing enemy, 
and onl}' retired in obedience to imperative orders. 

Our gallant boys were with the •* unready " McClel- 
LAN in the Peninsula and shared in all the labors, 
privations, and dangers which — had it depended upon 
the valor and fortitude of the Northern soldiers and 
not upon the incapacity of their commander — would 
have carried the Stars and Stiipes triumphantly into 
Richmond. 

At Antietam, " the corps commanders' battle," the 
first acknowledged ch-ck upon the victorious on-march 
of the famous Army of Northern Virginia, our fellow- 
townsmen bore their part in the burthen and heat of 
^that decisive day. Again, at Gettysburg, that 
'• soldiers' battle," that turning point at the East — 
parallel ^s a crisis to Rosecrans's great victory at 
Stone River, at the West — a green regiment from our 
Senatorial District, in which this town had numerous 
representatives, baptized its young eagle in the min- 
gled blood of its victorious brethren and the discomfited 
foe. Gettysburg may well be styled the " soldiers" 
battle," since it canno' justly be conceded to the 
strategy or grand tactics — antecedent to the conflict, 
or during its three days' continuance — of either the 
supreme commander of the Army of the Potomac, or 
any of its nrominent leaders. That the desperate in- 
vasion o' North -rn soil by that vaunted Army of 
Northern Virginia, which claimed to hav conquered 
so brilliantly at Chancellorsville, was arrested ; that 
Pennsylvania was delivered ; that the omnipotent Lee 
was hurled '•ackwitii disastrous losses across the Poto- 
mac ; was due remotely and in some degree to the ad- 
mirable organization of Hooker, but immediately and 
almost entirely to the patrioti m and moral energy of 
those Northern masses which had followed up the 
R'bels wif n thestrid ;s of a giant, and after overcoming 
every labor and privation, primary- vicissitudes which 
a soldier is called upon to endure, had consummated 
their glorious work with their valor — a quality which 
the threat professor of the military art pronounced as 
but secondary to those properties which test the for- 
titude and moral strength of an army. 

Some persons who have not given a close a tention 
to the subject have stigmatized the battle of Chan_ 



34 

ceII()!sviIFe as a defeat. It was indeed a rrrerse for 
(Mir arms, and. in some points of view, a disaster. In 
many respects, however, it was equivalent to a victory, 
because, although our loss was great, we inflicted h 
still greater loss upon the Rebels.* Their loss they 
could not afford to suffer, particulary the loss of 
Stonewai.i. Jackson. That alone was equivalent to 
a depletion of 10,000 men. Ev- n as at Sliiloh, the 
matured brain of the Kebel military power was par- 
alyzed in the death of Albkrt SvnxF-Y Johnston, even 
so at CJhanceliorsville, its right arm was lopped off in 
the fall of Stonewall Jackson. 

The soldiers of the Army of the Potomac were not 
disheartened by the failure, the reverse or defeat, 
whatever the critics may be pleased to term it, of 28th 
April to Gth May, 18Go. They neither lost heart nor 
had their pluck been diminished by it. Hooker's con- 
fidence in himself and in his soldiers was as great after 
as before tiie battle, lie showed it l)y repeating 
almost word for word the ideas embodied in that 
general order issued by the indomitable Bi.i'chee — 
that Prussi .n hero cast in the same mould as Hookkk, 
after his parallel reverse in June, 1815. The conclud- 
ing words of this order strikingly and characterisiic- 
ally manifested the confidence of the general in his 
patriotic troops. It was issued to the Prussian Army 
on the morning after the bloody conflict at Ligny. 
which, in results, might be said to correspond with 
Hooker's failure in the Wilderness. '■■ d i^/ia/I imme- 
diately lead you (again) against the enemy ; ue shall 
beat him hecansi- it is* onr duty to do so." 

Both Generals we e justified in their conclusions. 
The Army of the Potomac — our brothers in the 20th 
N. Y. S. iSI.. in the 150th N. Y. V., in the 1st N. Y. 
Light Artillery, in every regimen wherein they were 
to be found — proved this. Yes, as Greeley remarks 
with so much truth, "Whatever his faults. Hooker 
was loved and trusted by his soldi rs, who knew less 
of Meade, and h((d less faith in him. Had that army 
been polled, it would have voted to flgi't the impend- 
ing battle under Hooker icithont the aid of French's 
11,000 men, rather than under Meade with that re- 
enforcement." 

Oh, what a spectac'e of invincible determination 
did our Northern brethren in arms present at Gettys- 
burg. Philosophy and freedom of thought which had 
found shelter under the Stars and Stripes, now repaid 
their debt. How magnificent in its impregnability of 

♦Examine Monograph (50 copies printed) " Chancellorsvim.k 
XMD ITS Krsi'lts." Or " Major-General Joseph Hookkb in command 
of tho AiTTiy of the Potomac," by Anchor (Brevet Major-General 
J. Watts Dk Pkyster), etc., etc., N. Y., 1.S6.5, particularly pages 11, 
12, 13, etc. 



35 

moral .strength that long curved line of "Ijoys in blue" 
crowned the heights of Gettysburg, cropping ont like 
granite ridges along the crest of a mountain range. 
The hills them.selves were not more firmly rooted 
tlian the loyal lines. Their physical vigor — unshaka- 
ble as it proved— was not as dangerous to the enemy 
as the determination of their souls to conquer, there, 
or die. The Rebels" shouts sounded on the distant 
ear, like the ominous roar of breakers driven by the 
tempest, bur.sting in thundering shocks upon the shore. 
Like waves, following in quick .succession, the Rebel 
lines of attack appeared to roll upon o r opposing 
loyal ranks. The curling smoke resembled the foam 
and spray thrown up by the mighty billows as they 
dash themselves to pieces on the granit- ledges and 
beetling crags of an iron-bound coast. For three day.s 
long that storm continued to rage with a violence un- 
equalled in the four years' war. Our devoted lines 
of battle seemed nimost swallowed up, at times, in the 
tumultuous onset of the desperate Rebel hosts. In 
vaiu, however, did Lee's maddened masses chafe and 
fret away their strength against the impregnable 
barriers of the sons of freedom. Tlie xVrmy of the 
Potomac stood proudly unmoved and invincible in this 
the supreme crisis of the nation. Thej^ could not be 
sliaken ; they conquered, for every regiment stood 
based upon the sacred principle of honor, discipline 
and duty, and the brigades and divisions were 
cemented together by the ties of patriotism and the 
impulse of national glory. Our yeomanry soldiers set 
up the pillars of the L^nion on the field of Saratoga, 
1777. Our Xiirtiiern army re- stablished those col- 
umns again, and immutably, on the heights of (Jettys- 
burg, 186.'5. 

.Vbout the same time another regiment from < in- 
Senatorial District, 128th. was playing a notable part 
on war's checker-board upon the banks of the '• father 
of waters," where it lost its respected i.nd lamented 
Colonel. He was one of those rare men who, bke 
Lucui.i.us and other Romans, left the forum for the 
camp, and — in a like manner, but in a smaller de- 
gree and upon a much more circumscribed space — 
displayed an aptitude for military command. He dis- 
tinguis' ed himself as much in hiss])here as a sagacious 
organizer aitd strict disciplinarian in the camp as lie 
showed himself an able commander and l)rave soldier 
in the Held. One company of this regiment was re- 
rruited in a great degree in this locality. Of the brave 
youth who went forth from our midst at that time, 
all did their duty well, and the majority acquitted 
themselves with the highest credit in the different 
stations to which they were assigned and promoted. 

Having thus disposed of the history of the regi- 



36 

ment to which uur neighbors and friends first con- 
tributed recruits (20th N. Y. S. M.), the next which 
c aims our attention is one which may be considered pe- 
culiarly our own, since the N. E. corner of the Upp'er 
District of tiie Town of Red Hook contri))uted 21, 
nearly one-half of Company C ; and the very village 
in which the Memorial Stone is located, supplied 
one-quarter of that same company as the result of 
an impromptu meeting: for the purpose of pro- 
moting volunteering. What is more, a youth of 
this neighborhood, between fifteen and sixteen, 
Johnston Livingston de Peyster, a pupil of 
the Highland Military College, was the officer w.th 
whom our brave young men enlisted ; and, had he not 
been tricked out of the rewards of his labor, he would 
have commanded Company C, (even as he did command 
it for a few days in camp at Hudson), until he had 
either been killed or wounded at the head of his men, 
or promoted for good service. 

What should make the following narrative of this 
regiment so interesting to this auditory is the fact, 
that the incidents are mainly derived from a gallant 
young man who was among the first to enlist, and went 
forth from us as a private, was made a sergeant about 
a month afterwards, and returned in command of his 
company wearing the shoulder-straps of a First Lieu- 
tenant. ' What is more, through self-denial and good 
conduct, and by s'rict economy, he was not only en- 
abled to pay for the support of hs family during his 
absence, but to retain sufficient, after the payment of 
his debts, to be enabled, by the judicious investment 
of the remainder, to place himself in possession of a 
farm. This volunteer, who furnished the particulars 
which have served as the framework of this regimental 
biography, may be looked upon as a perfect type of a 
sensible, judicious, brave American soldier; and the 
same remark will apply to almost every one enlisted 
at that time from this vicinity. Among them are men 
whom it is un honor to take by the hand, and say to 
any one standing by, "This brave man is a type of 
our countrymen ; he has dcme his duty worthily by 
his comrades and to his c untry. He s a fair specim*»n 
of an American soldier, such as no other country can 
produce." 

The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment 
was ortranized and mustered at Hudson, 4th Septem- 
ber 18(32. and despatched at once to Baltimore. It 
remained in that city from the 7th Septemi'er to the 
5th November. From Baltimore it was transported 
to Fortress Monroe, and there shipped on board the 
ocean steamer Arago. There were 1,500 men, in- 
cluding the whole One Hundred and Twenty-eighth 
reo'iment aid four companies of the One Hundred and 
Foiirteenth New York Volunteers, on board this 



37 

transport, besides the crew, which must have swelled 
the number to about 1 ,000. As may well be supposed, 
sickness soon followed such close packing, and, doubt- 
less, had :» good effect in making anti-slaver}' votes, 
since those who experienced the results could form, 
at once, some idea of the horrors of the Middle Pass- 
age in tiie palmy days of the Slave Trade. 

Fortunately science, though it cannot prevent, can 
still mitigate and cure the wrongs arising from the in- 
humanity of man to man. It does not appear that any of 
the One Hundred and Twentj-eighth died, but they 
suffered immensely, since there was not only a great 
many cases of typhus and typhoid fever and nifasles 
nmong them, but also of that dreadful malady, the 
smallpox. After a voyage of 1,000 miles, they 
reached Ship Island, famous as tlie t)riginal rendez- 
vous of Butler's forces previous to the capture of 
New Orleans in the previous Spring of 1802. Thence 
they were transferred to the Quarantine Station, on 
the Mississippi, just above the fanums defences of 
that river. Fort Jackson and Fort Philip, between 
which F.\RRAGUT forced his way to unsurpassed tri- 
V umph, and eighty miles below the " Crescent Cit\'." 
Next they encamped at Chalmetfe, on "Old Hick- 
ory's," that is AxDiiKw Jackson's, famous battle 
ground in 1815 ; and then they were stationed at 
Camp Parapet, a few miles above New Orleans. 

While »t the front, Colonel D. S. Cowles. of Hud- 
son was placed in command of a brigade, which in- 
cluded the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, with 
orders to cross Lke Ponchartrain, and proceed up 
Pearl R ver This stream constitutes the dividing 
line, at that point, between the States of Louisiana 
and Mississippi. The object of this expedition was to 
discover facilities for getting out lumber. In their 
first skirmish our boys killed, wounded and captured 
fifty Rebels ; and on their return they brought ba- k 
as prizes three schooners and one steamboat loaded 
with cotton, tar, etc. 

Here the remark may be permitted, that one of the 
most unjust features of this whole war has been the 
concession (>f the right of prize-money to the Navy, 
without any similar equivalent to our " Boys in 
Blue." A sailor in realitj' undergoes nothing like the 
labors, privations, sufferings and dangers to which a 
soldier is necessarily exposed. Oftentimes his cap- 
tu'es are unattended by any p-rilous circumstances. 
In many cases he is a mere eye-witness of a chase in 
wh'oh he can scarcely be termed a participant. On 
the other hand, the soldier scarcely ever makes a cap- 
ture which is remunerative, without long previous 
labors, either in marches, or in constructing works, 
and without undergoing many other dangers, beside 



38 

the risk of life or woundi!. Had tlio prize-money 
whicli our Army earned been distributed to that 
Ann}', many of our young men would have brought 
home sufficient to make them comfortable for life, 
or, at all events, sufficient, with economy, to place 
themselves and their families beyond the reach of 
want. 

Time will not permit me to dwell upon this bloody 
siege in which the One Hu 'dred and Twenty-eighth 
lost its estimable colonel, but I cannot refrain from 
mentioning a i<i\v inc dents too memorable and sug- 
gestive ever to be forgotten. 

On the night of the 25th May, 18fio. General Banks 
invested Port Hudson. On t" e 26th, the One Hundred 
and Tweiit3--eighth joined thu besieging force under 
that general, and thenceforward took a prominent 
part in one of the most difficult and dangerous enter- 
prises of the war. On the very night of their arrival 
they participated in the firstassault and gained a great 
deal ol «Medit for bravery. On the 27th, a general as- 
sault was made. Our men made desperate efforts but 
failed, notwithstanding we had lost in vain 293 killed 
and 1,549 wounded. AH the general officers engaged 
were disabled. Brigadier-General T. W. Sherman, 
commanding the division, lost his leg through a 
cannon-shot wound received in midmost fight. Briga- 
dier-General Neal Dow was slightly wounded and 
was carried off. Ct)lonel Clark, Sixth Michigan, who 
succeeded, was knocked off his horse by the concussion 
of a shell, and was borne from the field for dead. 
Colonel I). S. Cow lf.s, of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth, who commanded a brigade at the commence- 
ment of the attack, was the next victim. Thr Four- 
teenth New Hampshire, whose colonel had also been 
wounded, was wavering Wh'le endeavoring to keep 
this regiment up to its work, and while gallantly lead- 
ing his men, Cowi.es was killed. The manne of his 
death is not exactly known ; all tliat is certain is that 
he lost his life in the brilliant performance of- his duty. 
According to some accounts, the cause of his death was 
a musket shot in the groin, which carried into his 
body, with it, the frame of his port-monnaie. The 
jagged and sharp steel, lacerating his intestines, occa- 
sioned the most excruciating suffering before he died. 
Horace Greeley, in liis " Gro; t American Conflict," 
states that he was transfixed by a bayonet and bled 
to death. If this latter was the case, it is all the more 
creditable to Cowles, since it proves that he had 
made his waj so far into the enemy's works that our 
men were engaged in a hand-to-hand confli't with the 
Rebel defenders. This crossing of bayonets is one of 
the most brilliant and rarest occurrences in war. One 
of our fellow-townsmen, Dr. Thomas J. Barton, a 



39 

natural poet, composed a few verses on the fall of 
Colonel CowLEs, which have been set to music. They 
possess so much real merit that we cannot forbear 
their quotation : 

Columbia sent torth her legion, 
Their chief was our hope and our pride ; 
They fought in that far sunny region, 
He fell by that great riser's side ; 
And these were the words of the warrior. 
As his life's blood was ebbing forth slow : 
" Oh, tell to mv poor old mother. 
That I died with ray face to the loe." 

" Thoush others of loftier fortune 
Their praises may hear from afar — 
Return from the fields of the valiant 
All crowned with the laurels of war, 
Though hi'^t'ry my name may not mention 
When this body is mouldering low, 
Yet 'twill comtort my poor old mother. 
That I died with ray face to the foe." 

Sleep on with the brave, gallant soldier I 
Thy country shall cherish thy fame ; 
When we speak of the deeds of the valiant 
A place is reserved for thv name. 
When the hosts of Rebellion are scattered. 
When peace crowns their grand overthrow. 
We will tell to the last generation 
How Cowi.E-i died with his face to the foe. 

In this rash or reckless assault and desperate strug- 
gle, besides the casualties already mentioned, the 
Twenty-sixth Connecticut lost two field officers; the 
One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York had three 
Held and all its line officers killed or wounded, so that 
the regiment was left under the command of a first 
lieutenant; in the One Hunlred and Twenty-eighth 
the officers had suttered so severely that, after 
CowLES was killed, the regiment was commanded by 
a captain. 

During the assault oitr company, C, had b en de- 
tached to support a battery. Strange to say it did 
not lose a man. This is one of those marvels in war 
which cannot be explained or accounted for, except 
as a celebrated military writer, Beamish, in his 
work on Cavalrv remarks. " There is no protection 
against bullets but good luck,'' or, as a Christian would 
put it, " the interposition of a special Providence.'' 

From the 27th of May to the 10th of June, there 
were no more attacks. The operations were confined 
1o digging, battering, skirmis'^ing, and sharpshooting. 
This was sufficiently hot work to satisfy even a fire- 
eater, since all these duties were discharged under 
the torrid sun of a Southern June. Our bo3\s were 
very lively, and the Rebel sharpshooters equally so. 
Both were on the keen watch to obey the rule of 
Uonnybrook Fair, namely, " Wherever you see a head, 
lad. liit it.'" 

On the 14th of Jtme a second general assault wa« 



40 

made. The One Hundred and Twentj-eightb opened 
the ball The}- assaulted or rather charged the works 
in skirmish line, supported by two brigades These 
supports got dnbhed or disordered in a ravine, and the 
One Hundred and Twentj'-eighth. having no longer 
any backers, had to"getout o/^/itf^ " the best way they 
could. On tbis occasion Company C lost heavily, but 
lo ! strange again to say, the loss did not fall upon 
volunteers from our midst. Sergennt John H Hagar 
and Albert Cole, son of John Colk, of livoli Land- 
ing, were struck by pieces of shell. 

A few days afterward, again. Banks determined to 
make another desperate attempt to carry the works 
by main force. From previous experience he should 
have known that this was nothing better than a reck- 
less waste of human life. No better proof can be ad- 
duced of fhe inferior capacitj' of our generals than the 
manner in which they threw away the lives of their 
best soldiers, since the best and bravest always full in 
such enterprises. At all events, he determined to 
make another desperate venture, and called for volun- 
teers to compose the Forlorn Hope,* and thus from his 
boldest men formed a storming party whose fieice 
valor must carry the works. To prove of what stuff 
our American men are made, so many volunteers 
stepped forward that they were organized into two 
battalions, each of which comprised eight companies, 
in all about 1,000 men. The whole was under the 
command o^ Colonel Bir(jk. The second in command 
was Lieutenant-Colonel Von Pattev. Boththe.se field 
officers were hkewise volunteers. 

Friends and neighbors, do}'ou not think that the dis- 
tricts which furnished the men for this Forlorn Hope 
to carry, by storm, works which presented no breaches, 
and were as susceptible of defence as when our Army 
first sat down before that Rebel stronghold, should be 
proud of their men ? Twice, nay, thrice, at previous 
dates, had our assaults l)een repulsed with fearful loss, 
altbough upon those occasions theie appeared to be 
greater chances of success than at this time. Do you 
not think that tbe men who volunteered for that death- 
struggle must have been fiishioned out of the stuff 
which makes heroes ? Was the Upper District of Red 
Hook r presented there ? Was Madalin ? Tivoli ? 
Yes, both. Tw nty-one men from Company C — after 
such long, trying service thej' must have constituted 
a'inost the whole company — volunteered for this 
Forlorn Hone. From this immediate neighborhood 
there were seven. 

1. John H. Hagar, Sergeant, made Second Lieu- 

* For the details of the Forlorn Tlope, consult Duycki.nck's History 
of the War for the Union, page 180, &o., part 57, 58 



41 

tenant in Louisiana, 5th November, 1863, from this 
very circumstance ; 2. Sergeant Hemiv A. Brun- 
dage; 3. George A. Norcutt; 4. Albert Cole; 
5. Peter Wyer, or Dwver, afterwards kiilctl under 
Sheridan at Winchester in tlie Shenandoah Valley, 

19th of Sept., 18G4 ; G. D N , one wliose name 

is suppressed for after conduct in 18G4 deemed repre- 
hensible b}- his comrades ; 7. George F. Simmons. 

I mention Simmons last because he has so often 
been cited by his comrades as a brave fellow. One of 
his otEcers said, '"George is a tiger." Now, there 
is no animal l>raver than a tiger; not even the li(m is 
as brave. So this comparison of George to the tiger 
is by no means a small compliment, especially when 
a man has won the ri^ht to such a title on the battle- 
field. And yet, he was as gentle and generous, as 
he was brave, to his sick comrades. 

It was this Aict, the knowledge of this volunteering 
for this Forlorn Hope, which led to the consideration of 
the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth as the repre- 
sentative regiment of this neighborhood. Judge as 
men will, there is verily reason to believe that our 
brethren were preserved upon so many occasions be- 
cause our Father in Heaven spared them to us as ex- 
amples for imitation as soldiers in the field and as 
citizens at home. 

This Forlorn Hope was to assault the Rebel works 
on the night of the 3d July. Orders had been issued 
for them to move forward at midnight of that date. 
They were actually formed in order of attack, and 
never did men evince a firmer determination to do or 
die than the suldiers composing those two devoted 
battalions. At the very moment they expected the 
orders to ''forward," the assault was countermanded. 
Banks had received assurances i)f the certain, immedi- 
ate, surrender of Vicksburg, and he knew that the fall 
of Vicksburg involved the capture of Port Hudson. 
Such circumstances would not justify another assault. 
Banks, personally, is a very brave man; he is an able 
politicion or statesman, but he has not proved a great 
general. Those who served under him say that he had 
no confidence in his troops, and his troops had no con- 
fidence in his generalship. Greeley considers that 
his loss in forty five days before Port Hudson amount- 
ed to 3,000 men. 

On the 8th of July, the two battadcms forming the 
Forlorn Hope were the first troops to enter the sur- 
rendered Rt-bel works. They were composed of men 
from eight different States, loyal States, and if ihey 
did not march into Port Hudson arm-in-arm like the 
delegates of South Carolina and Mas>achusetts, amid 
the iiypoeiitical tears of a humbug convention, they 
marched in elbows toiici)ing, a much firmer bond of 



42 

military union than any political arni-in arm, amid 
the admiring clieers of the rest uf their Armv, who 
knew how to estimate their worth. The men of Tivoii 
and of Madalin had volunteered into the color company 
of the battalion, and they entered Port Hudson with 
the Stars and Stripes Hoa ing over tiieir heads to the 
tunes of" Yankee Doodle,'' and " Hail Columbia,'" and 
the " Star Spangled Banner.'' 

The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth ever after 
had a varied and extensive theatre on whicii to play 
Its part Its Hrst scene of active duty was in tiie 
valley of the Mississippi, and it participated in 
ever}' one but one of the l)ru a! and futile assaults 
upon Port Hudsun. 

From Port Hudson the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth was ordered to Baton Rouge, whither th y 
escorted 56 (42 ?) pieces of artillery. Betwc'-n 4 p. m. 
of the 11th, and '^ A. m. of the 12th, they marched 27 
(25?) miles. Thence they were ordered to Fort 
Btitlei% Donaldsonville, on the Mississippi, to restore 
the Union affairs in that vicinity. The Te.xan Cav- 
alry General ((irkkn) had attacked the Unit)n forces 
stationed at that point, and had whipped them. " The 
brigade to which the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth was attached was sent to restore affairs, and 
upon their ai'rival cleaned the Texaus out." 

Tiie next station of the regiment was Old Hickory 
Landing, on the Mississippi, about eight miles above 
Fort Butler. Here they received orders to join 
Franklin's Texan Expedition, in September, 1863. 
Fortunately the orders were countermanded, and they 
were sent back to Baton Rouge. This failure of 
Franklin was, perhaps, one of the most disgraceful of 
the war. Througii some one's inefficiency thei-e was so 
much suffering, that the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth may be thankful it did not constitute a part of 
his command. Had the wind risen and blown a gale off 
shore, one-half of the troops, if not the greater por- 
tion, would have perished of thirst, the most horrible 

of deaths, or of hunger, or by drowning. 

* # * " * " * + * 

Greelev sums up this matter in a few words of 
grim humor: "Instead of taking these poor earth- 
works at Sabine Pass, defended by a Captain and 2oU 
Rebels, or even trying, Franklin— ^/u?t/<,7 no place tu 
laud where he mir/ht not get his feet wet — slunk meekly 
back to New Orleans, leaving the Texans to exult, 
very fairly, over a fruitful victory gained against odds 
of at least twenty to one.'' 

Although the opinion of private soldiers in regard 
to a general may be deemed of little weight, it, never- 
theless, has its weight. Several of the privates or 
non-commissioned officers who served under Frank- 



43 

i-iN, and furnished materials for this and accom- 
panying sketches, sa}^ he displayed little military 
ability. One Sergeant Charles R. McNiff added, 
'• he never heard a man speak well of him." The 
same men dissected Banks's character, as well 
as those who held liigher positions, and thought 
Emoky, Dwioht and Grover were as good gen- 
erals as any in the armies they served with. 
Grover, who commanded a division in the Sixth 
Corps, in 1864, was oneof Hooker's generals, and the 
men of ihe One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, who 
formed part of his command, remarked he was a 
'• very dashing' (Ivearnv type?) man, adding, he 
'•seemed satisfied best when up to his neck in 
hlood.'' 

The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth lay at Baton 
Rouge until the 17th of March, 1864. It was now 
commanded by Colonel James Smith, of Pough- 
kee[)sie. The regiment which had left Baltimore six- 
teen months previously 950 strong, was now reduced 
tt) 300 fit for duty. Nevertheless, wonderful to relate, 
not one man from our district had as yet lost his life 
by sickness o any casualty. This exemption from sick- 
ness speaks volumes in favor of the morality of our 
men, if nothing else. And here it seems proper to re- 
mark, not one of our Red Hook men died from dis- 
ease during their whole three yeai-s' service. One 
John van Etten, an old man, died of co gestive 
chills, at Savannah, after he was mustered out. 

Durinii- the previous Win'er, 186r)-'4, Lieutenant 
Hagar, with eighty men, including our Company C, 
had been acting as 'a River Patrol, guarding, scouting, 
iind preventing smuggling and contraband trade on 
the Mississippi. 

On oneoccasion thirteen of our men, while stationed 
in Louisiana, wentou: thirteen miles into the enemy's 
territory, staid out two days, ransacked a Rebel vil- 
lage, and brought back $30,000 worth of contraband 
Koofls destined for the use of the Rebel army. 
S * * *■ * * * 

In March, 1864, the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth was back again at Baton Rouge, and started 
thence in the same month, to form part of Banks' 
madly planned, and as badly executed, and ill-fated 
Red River expedition. Every one connected with 
this op ration, who could control its movements, seem 
t> have contributed thereto all their folly and none 
of their judgment. It began in miscalculation and it 
ended iii disaster. The part played by the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-eighth stands "forth, however, amid 
the gloom like a principal star amid the constellation 
formed by Emory's brilliant regiments. 

The Union forces reached Natchitoches, 150 miles 



44 

by water above Alexandria, 2d and 3d April, 18C4. 
Between these towns the march of 55 to 65 miles had 
been one continued sUirniish. 

On the Gth of April " forward " was the word, and 
Feanklin's command led off" westwar<l on tlie road to 
ShrevcpoH, the objective of the expedition. At Sabine 
Cross roads, 3 miles below Manslield, the Union van 
encountered the Rebel Army of the Trans-Mississippi, 
and was terr bly handled. Advised of the disaster by 
the torrent of fugitives, Emory had assumed a posi- 
tion at Pleasant Grove. 3 miles in the rear of tlie first 
scene of collision. There his '■^magnificent division'^ 
(the words in ita ics are not mine, but those of an eye- 
witness, or of a grand historian), posted i self to re- 
trieve the day. Formed in ^' mae/nificent order in line 
of battle across the I'oad," it opened its ranks to per- 
mit the retreating troops to pass through, and then 
closed up like iron walls to receive and repulse, 
and shatter the pursuing Rebels ilushed with victory. 
In this terrilic conflict " Emory's Division," says 
Greeley, "had saved our Army, and probably our 
fleet also.'' 

During the ni^'ht Banks withdrew to Pleasant Hill, 
15 miles, E.MOUY covering the retreat, after burning 
his dead and caring for his wounded. 

At Pleasant Hill there was another fearful battle. 
In it the same heroes of Pleasant Grove won laurels 
as glorious. In this action a friend of mine, a capital 
soldier and gallant ma", fell. lie had been wounded 
earlier in the day, but continued to command a bri- 
gade. Charging at its head, he was again wounded 
mortally, pierced by five balls, and died with the shout 
of triumph on his lips. This friend and comrade of 
former days, was Colonel Lewis Benedict, of Albany', 
lie has left a proud record, for he not only fought 
bravely but he belonged to the class of " Die hnrd's," 
sucli as the *' Iron Duke," Wellington, loved, and 
fought victoriously to the last moment of his life. 

At Pleasant Hill an eye-witness said, " it was evi- 
dent Emory's Division was fighting the whole Rebel 
Trans-Mi?sis.sippi Army;" and again "our victorious 
Army slept upon the battle-field, which was one of the 
bloodiest of thtMvar." Who can refuse their applause to 
our One Hundred and Twenty-eighth when told that it 
belonged to, and did its duty in this grandly superior 
division, although not present in a'l its battles? This 
absence was owing to the fi\ct that our troops, strung 
out for twenty miles, always fought, and, when beaten, 
were crushed in detail. 

Throughout the ensuing retreat, so discreditable to 
our commanders, but so honorable to our indomitable 
rank and file, the One Hundred and Twenty- eighth 
did its flutv in the most creditable manner. On the 



45 

23(1 of April, at tlic Cane. River JTfiffJifx, it had an op- 
portunity to make a mark ami made a bright one. 

The Rebel General Bek, had got ahead of Banks, 
and in a very strong position, on Cane Rher, and 
hoped to hold him fast until the pin-suing main Rebel 
Army could fall upon the Union troops and pound 
them to pieces. Here T will let a soldier of thn One 
Hundred and Twenty-eighth, Color Corpora! Gkouge 
F. SiM.Moxs. of Madalin tell his own story. " We left 
camp at Grand Ecore, (just above Natchitoches on tbo 
Red River), at 5 p. m., April 21st ; mdichcd all night, 
a distance of 23 miles ; halted for breakfast April 22d ; 
at 8 A. M., took up a line of march and marched until 
ni<jht, when, after 40 miles, we overtook, or rather 
came upon the enemy by surprise, our advance skir- 
mishing, and encamped. Next morning, April 23, wc 
usain took up our line of march, but did not go far 
before wc found the enemy in a strong position." Bee 
did occupy a strong position, and had one Hank, his 
right, protected by Cane River, quite a large and nav- 
igable stream at seasons and the other, his left, bv an 
impenetrable swamp. "General Banks rode forward to 
reconnoitre the Rebel position, and while at the front 
was struck by a piece of shell. While the heavy can- 
nonading was going on, a Negro (one of that race 
always devoted to our service, and now so ungratefully 
Ignored), came running- to the river's bank, on the op- 
posite sid-, and told us he would show us how to get 
in the rear of the enemy (Rebels). The men (One 
Hundred and Twenty eighth), told our co one], James 
Smith, of Poughkeepie. and he told General Banks. 
Immediately two brigades, of which ours (Grovee's) 
was one, comprising One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, 
One Hundred and Fifty-sixth, One Hundred and 
Seven tv-fifth, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth, N. Y , 
and Eighth ^lassachusetts. The division, which was 
commanded byGeneral H. W. Biege, were ordered to 
ford the river. We moved very cautiously to the 
rear, tlirough an almost impassable wood, through 
swamps and mud, knee deep, and at last struck the 
enem\'s picket lines. Then we began to skirmish, 
driving them from one position to another until they 
finally made a stand on a high bluff. From this we 
were ordered to drive tlieuu We charged their lines. 
The first Union line faltered and hung back, the fire 
was so heavy and the position so strong. Then 
Grover's line, commanded by Colonel James Smith, 
(One Hundred and Twenty-eighth) of Poughkeepsie, 
Grover being absent with another division, charged 
through the iirst line — the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth through the Twenty-first Maine — and carried 
tlie heights, capturing many prisoners." Bee was com- 
pletely whipped, and t' o roadopenfor our Army. 



46 

On this occasion Geoege Minkler, from near our 
old "Red Church," won for himself the sou'riquet of 
'■ Lieutenant" by his coolness. As our bovs charged 
up the lieights, Gkorgk sang out, '' Don't get excited, 
boys! The Rebs are going; we've got them ! Don't fire 
high. Aim low and we've got th' m !" The event cor- 
responded with his clear judgment. Georcje was badlv 
hit at Cedar Cre'^k. A ball went through his head 
diagonally, entering near the right ear and coming out 
on the side of the nose, injuring but not quenching the 
left eye, leaving an ugly but Inmorable scar. 

"After the combat of Cune River Heights the One 
Hundred and Twenty-eighth took up its line of march 
on the 24th ; moved through pine woods a distance of 
19 miles, and encamped. On tho 25tli, after marching 
23 miles, occupied Alexandria again. This was a ter- 
rible day's work, carrying over 61 lbs., under a South- 
ern sun, through sand, ankle deep. The men were so 
used uj) tliat they could not raise their feet but dragged 
them along. When the muskets were stacked they 
threw themselves down, too exhausted to make the 
usual arrangements for the night." 

The next operation of this sorely tried expedition 
was the building of that f mous Red River Dam, by 
which the common-sense Wisconsin lumberman, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Joseph Bailey, Fourth Wisconsin, 
saved our fleet, when no West Point engineer, or 
Annapolis graduate could suggest a means for its sal- 
vation. 

On the 1st of May, before the Army left Alexan- 
dria, the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth was engaged 
in an action which merits par icular mention. Colonel 
James Smith, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, with 
his own regiment, also the One Hundred and Fifty- 
.sixth anrl One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York 
Volunteers, was ordered back to the Red River 
Rapids, 2 or 3 miles above the town, where the Rebela 
had assumed a very strong position behind a large 
levee. Corporal Simmons says it looked as formidable 
as the Port Hudson works. Colonel Smith was to 
drive the Rebels away so as to allow our vessels to 
pass down unmolested through the Dam. Colonel 
Smith attacked them about daylight and completely 
rou'ed them, killing and capturing about 50 or 60 
Besides whipping the Rebel land forces our infantry 
boarded the Rebel flotilla and captured several float- 
ing btittcries armed with heavy guns. In this action 
the One Hundred and Twenty -eighth, and forces, 
only lost three men, although they encountered a 
noted Texas Brigade, formerh' under the notorious 
Texas Rebel, General Green, whose head had been 
blown off, April 12th, in an insane attempt to storm 
gunboats with infantry. 



47 

In the retreat from Alexandria, on the Red River, 
to Semme>p(>rt, on tho Atchafalaya, and thence to the 
Mississippi, the One Hundred and Twenty eighth was 
eonstantly engaged skirmishing with tJie enemy, and 
acting like feelers for the Army which followed. They 
were in an action at Mansura on Marksville Plain, 
IGth May, and in a second affair at the Yellow Bayou 
(Grosse-tete District). Here the Rebels, under a 
French nobleman. Prince Policnac. attacked our 
tear, the 19th May, 1864, about daylight, and got 
tremendously flogged. Our '-Boys " lay in ambush to 
receive them, and the One Hundred and Twenty- 
eighth had very few casualties, whereas the Rebels 
suffered a heavy loss in killed, wounded, and pris- 
oners. 

Aft'^r this the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth was 
stationed at jNIorganza, 175 miles above New Orleans, 
then at Algiers, opposite that city, and then in that 
city itself. 

Thence w th the rest of Emory's corp.s on the 19th, 
it was ordered to Grant before Petersburgh and 
Richmond. Simultaneous with its arrival in Hampton 
Road?, Eakly struck at Washington. Thus, opportune- 
ly, fnmi the Army of the Mississippi the One Hundred 
and Twenty-eigi'th was transferred back to the Atlan- 
tic Slope to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. It 
arrived at Fortress Mnnroe just in time to save the 
National capital in July, 1864. It was then assigned 
to the Army of the Shenandoah, and was present ^nd 
distinguished itself in almost every skirmish and in 
every battle won by fiery Phil. Sheridan. 

The following verse, a perfect piece of word paint- 
ing, is too appropriate to be omitted. Still full of 
praise and fire as it is, it scarcely presents a full por- 
traiture of great little Phil , who glorious as he rode 
at the head of his troopers, was just as eminent in the 
conduct of an army or the administraticm of a depart- 
ment ; more eminent in his refusal to falsifj' facts in 
his reports of the New Orleans massacre, to save the 
reputation of his superior, an apostate President : 

Sheridan, Shvridan, Cavalry Sheridan '. 
Him of the horses and sabres I sing, 

Look how I e drove them 1 

Look, how he clove them ! 
Sabred, belabored, confused and confounded. 
The- whole Rebel rout, as they fell back astounded 

At the fierce stride and swing 

Of our men galloping ; 
Shouting with vengea' ce, roaring with laughter. 
Cheering with victory, as they plunged after 
SuKKiDAN, Sheridan, Cavalry Sheridan '■ 

Attracted by its efficiency and valor, this able and 
audacious general, of the true Kearnv stamp, made 
the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth his body 
or headquarters' guard. To have satisfied such 



48 

a fighting commander demonstrates that it must 
haxe been a hard fighting regiment. As a proof of 
tliis, the day before the battle of Cedar Creek, it 
numbered 300 men and had received 80 recruits. 
On the day after the battle it p raded 70 efi\?ctive», 
10 less than tlie reinforcement added to it 48 iiours 
previously. Th's will do for the One Hundred and 
Twenty-eighth. Regiments as good, it would not 
be just to s y there wer not, but better there were 

none. 

****** 

To those who are desirous of following ont the 
career of the 128th more in detnil, the following par- 
ticulars may prove interesting: Eai:i.t made liis dash 
upon Washington, 12th Tuly, 1804. Witliout debarking, 
the 12Sth. still (19th) on board tlie Daniel Webster, was 
ordered up tht? Chesapeake Bay and Potomac, and 
arrived (24th July) just jn time to assist in preserv- 
ing our Capital, and very nearly in time to catch and 
crush Eakly. Notwithstanding Eaki.t's repulse, ho 
hovered upon the Potomac, and sent out that cavalry 
raid which laid Cliamhershurg in ashe«. 

On this, the 19th Corps was ordered to Monoc- 
acy Junction, thence to Ilarper's Ferrj^ and thence- 
forth made part of the Army of the Shenandoah, oc- 
cupying successively IlalUown, Charlestown, Berry- 
ville, Winchester, Middletown. But this is antici- 
pating. When SnERiDAN took the command, he re- 
organized the 8th and 19tli Corps, merging the former 
in the latter. This was in August, 18G5. 

In the next month, September, that famous cam- 
paign coinmenct'd whose first great batrle, Winches- 
ter, sent Eakly whirling up the valley, and ended 
with the devastation of that region which had hitiier- 
to been synouomoiis with abundance, and had almost 
served as a gran.iry for the constantly retm-uingEebel 
armies. 

In the skirmish at Berryville, or Battle Town, 13th 
September, and in a previous spirited brush between 
Halltoivn and Charlestown, the 128tli was the first 
to lead off, and took a lively part in the dance. 

After two or three hours' skiimish at Berryville, 
the 128th lay all night, in a drenching rain, in line of 
battle, as it had fought tlie previous day. In the 
morning it fell back and threw np works, which w<to 
held until orders v-cre given for the advance on Win- 
chester. 

Up to this time, despite of Early's asseriions to 
the contrary, Sheridan had not had men enough to 
make head against the Rebels. Now, as Rosecraxs 
was wont to say, " havirg got a good ready,''' in ac- 
cordance with Grant's suggestion, he began to ''•go 
iny On the 10th September, the 12Sth tV>u'_d)r dc-- 



49 

p-irattly in the battle of Winchester, also, vai-iously 
styled, of the Opequnn, from the oreok on whose bank 
it'occun-etl ; or of Bunl'crs Hill, a limestone ridge, 
a')ont ten miles west of Winchestei-, wl:ere the Rebel 
right was posted, wliich flank was tirst attacked. 

In this battle, Guoyeu's division of the 19th Corps, 
"still gl)rying ill its achievements, at Port Hudson, 
on the Mississippi, and at Pleasant Hill " (and Cano 
River Heiglits), "'on the Red River," did most des- 
perate fighting. The Di\ ision. including the 128th, was 
in the advance, and the 128th was in the tirst line. 
They left camplOih September, 2 a. m., and advanced, 
skirmishing continuously, until 1 p. m., when orders 
were given to assault the Rebels' strong position. 
The Federal losses in tliis attack were iieavy, and fell 
chiefly on the leading division. Here it was that one 
of oar Upper District men, Peter Dwyer, or '^yer, 
was killed, and Geokge F. Simmons very severely 
wounded. 

Simmons was tlio right general guide, and was in 
advance carrying the marker or guidon— a small 
American llag with the number of the regiment in its 
centre. He was flrst shot tlirough the left foot. Tho 
ball broke all the bones of the small toes. Notwith- 
standing his pain and faintness. he remarked that as 
his musket was loaded he would take a last shot at 
the Rebels before he fell back. While tiring, a second 
ball tore through his right foot, breaking tiie bones of 
his liig toe and those of the two nest. His only, 
th.iught was now to save the little American flag 
which he carried, and he actually tottered off" to the, 
rear on his heels, and thus preserved it. His company 
Avent into action thirfy-tliree >troDg. When he was 
hit, seventeen of them had been already killed or 
wounded. 

After his defeat at Winchester, 19th September,. 
Early fell l)ack to Fisher s Hill and assumed a posi-, 
lion regarded as the very strongest in the Shenandoah: 
Valley. Here he was attacked by Sheridan on tho 
22d. The assault ot the Rebel left was assigned to 
the 19lh Corps. The 114th, 116th and 128th N. Y.. 
Volunteers led the way in skirmish order. These 
three regiments together comprised oidy 500 men.: 
Neverllieless. such was tleii- impetuosity that they 
converted what was intended simply as a cover foiv 
the main attack into an actual attack. Sweeping in 
skirmish order over the Rebel works, they cai)tureda 
whole Rebel brigade and 1,500 muskets stacked. 
Thus quickly and effectually the 128th and two others 
so'ved their i)roblem. 

Tliere is no need c)f going into further particulars of 
this ca'i'paigi.. It is well known how Sheridan fol- 



50- 

]owed up Early, " rubbing him graduallj out " until 
Early hiul fallen back into the passes of the Blue 
Ridge. Thereupon Shkkidan, huving laid waste the 
Shenau<l(>Hli Valley, withdrew to Cedar Creek, near 
Strasburg. Having been reinforced by 8,000 fresli 
troops from Kiclmiond, Early resumed the offensive, 
and tell u|)on us like a thunderbolt at Cedar Creek. 

In this surprise and battle, on the 18th October. 
186-4, the 128th sulfered severely. After that wonder- 
ful recuperative victory, the 128tli (Mmld only muster 
70 men out of the 300 who were in line when the tight 
began. This is the more remarkable >inee they had 
received 80 recruits — none, however, from the Uppei" 
District of Red Hook — n the 17th October, the day 
previous to the battle, so that in reality tiiey counted 
(on the 19th) 10 eftectives less than the reinforcement 
which they liad received 24 hours previous. 

In this connection it is worthy of remembrance 
that Grover's famous, lighting, first, infantry di- 
vision, which landed at Washington in July, and com- 
menced its lighting on tlie 19th September, 7,000 
strong, on the 20th of Octolier, 31 <htys afterward, 
could only parade 3,000 effectives. One mouth of 
Sheridan's style of lighting and Grover's "'die 
hard " work had placed under ground or in the. hos- 
pital 4,000 men. 

After this. Sheridan sent to Grover to select, froiM. 
his division his best Regiment to serve as a guard at 
Headquarters. The latter detailed the 128th. It now 
comprised only about 100 all told, although it had been 
constantly receiving recruits from drafted men. 

By this time lighting was over in the Valley, and 
on the 8th January. 1865. the 128th was at Baltimore. 
Thence, with the rest of Grover's division, it waj* seM 
to Savannah, where it arrived on the 18th January. 
1865. It constituted a part of the garrison of this 
city until al)out the 18th February, 1865. when it was 
sent to Morehead City, North Carolina, and served as 
pioneers to General Slocum's c(dumn. It j(.ined Sher- 
man at Oohisborough, N. C. and remained with him 
until after the surrender of Jok Johnston. 

Thence it was liispatched back to Savannah ; 
thence to Augnsta, Ga.. where it remained about one 
month. Whilst there Lieutenant Hagar, of our Dis- 
trict, comnumding Color Company C. was placed at 
the head of the permaneiit picket line around the city, 
to prevent stealing, and to break uj) the illicit trading 
with the Rebels. From Augusta it was sent back to 
Savannah to prepare its muster out rolls; and on the 
12th July, 1865, it was mustered out in that city. 
When the officers were sent on to New York, they 
were ordered on without a mouthful to eat or a cent 



51 

in their pockets. For 24 hours they had no food 
whatever, although there was 10 months' pay due to 
a majority of the officers aud men of tlie regiment, 
besides the tliree months' extra pay. The principal 
authority for this narrative, Lieutenant Ragar, had 
1.600 dollars due him. 

At Albany, on the 26th July, 1865, the Regimeut 
was under arms for the last time, and on that day it 
was paid and mustered out. 



The third and last of our representative regiments 
was the One Hundred and Fiftieth. This connects 
Red Hook with the Army of the Centre and with 
Shekman. The first, the Twentieth New York State 
Militia, was a type of the Army of the East, the suffer- 
ing, enduring, and preserving ; the second the One 
Hundred and Twenty-eighth, with the Army of the 
West, the capturing > nd tlir- holding, which freed the 
Mississippi; the third, the One Huiidred and Fiftieth, 
with the Army of the Centre, the conquering aud 
avenging. 

The One Hundred and Fiftieth had its baptism of 
fire at Gettysburg, 'the soldiers battle'' — the Waterloo 
of the -'Slaveholders' Rebellion," its appropriate title, 
which has been properly placed as the chosen inscrip- 
tion upon the memorial erected by this " immediate 
neighborhood" to its patriotic defenders. Thence 
the One Hundred and Fiftieth was transferred to Ten- 
nessee and soon came under that '' Passer of the 
Mountains," Sherman. 

" To bold Demetkius, Greece in tnles and ditties, 

Ascribed the title " Capturer of Citie*," — 

Thine be the appellation Russian Diebitsch bore 
" The Passer of the Mountains !" — 

Despi'e of armies, guns nnd all the craft of war; — 

Thou, who, like Leman-born, impetuous Rhone, 
Fed by far-distant Alpine fountains, 
Qorg'd by the furious winter rains. 
Roll'd through the Apalachian chains, 
Whirl'd, tore through Georgia's bulwark zone, — 
And in a surge of men, of cannon, steel and flame. 
Burst like a pent-up flood on Macon's fertile p ains 

" Hk -who BRkAKS THROUGH 1HK Alleqhaniks" be thy name ! 

"Atlanta's taker !" Sherman ! Expert in War's dread game." 

Even as at Gettysburg it had inaugurated its career 
by the capture of cannon, even so it performed first- 
class work m every battle of that stupendou.s cam- 
paign — 

" The ad ranee to Atlanta, a combat each mile. 
The supplying our troops one long battle the while,"- 

in the romantic gorges of the Apalachian Mountains. 
With Sherman it swept through Georgia with the 
dignity of a triumphal procession. 



" By Heaven ! 'twas a gala marcb, 
'IVms a pi3-nic or a plav ! 
Of all our long w r 'twas the crowning arch, 

llip ! hip ! lor Shehman's way ! 
Of all our long war thiscrownel the arch^ 
For Sherman and G/.ant hurrah 1" 

AVith Sherman it wa? at Savannah and assisted in 
tiiat magnifictMit capture, wliicli enabled liini to pres- 
ent such a Christmas gift to the Nation as was never 
before presented by a general to a President. With 
Sherman it swept through South Carolina like the 
scythe of death driven by lhe wing of the destroying 
angel. With Sherman it again confronted Joe Jonx- 
STON, on the western slopes of the .Mloghanies, as tri- 
nniphanly as it had, in the previous year, in the defiles 
and western valleys of that range. With Sherman it 
ninrched homewards, through Richmond and through 
Washington, amid the grateful apjdause of the Nation, 
and the admii-ation of all who had studied its achieve- 
ments in fighting and endnrance.* 

Other regiments and other cominands constituted 
lesser links in the chain of connection betiveeu Red 
Hook and the Union Armies. Citizens of Red Ilook 
served in the N. Y. First Artillery, in which, as already 
mentioned, lirevet Colonel De Peyster, Avas Junior 
Major, 1862-'3. This regiment was commanded by 
Coionel, now Brevet Brigadi?r-General, Charles S. 
Wainwright, who in 1850 and 1851 was the chief of a 
splendid section of artillery in this district. This able 
officer whose guns saved us on the afternoon of the 
first day, July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, performed Ins. 
first service with artillery in this vicinity. He might 
almost be claimed as one of our representative men. 
His regiment was present in forty-tive battles. One 
company, filled with recruits from Dutchess County, 
amo!:g whom were men from Red Hook, deserves 
a special mention. It performed notable service, with 
those little, spiteful mortars kno.vn as Ccehorns, at the 
siege of Petersburg and Richmond. The men learned 
to handle their pigmy engines of destruction with a 
celerity and dexterity which must have heen as grati- 
fying t^t) the Union troops as it was atmoying and fatal 
+.0 the Rebels. 

Thus from 21st April, 1861, down to 6th February, 
1806, men of Red Ilook were under arms protecting, 
ennoliling, and maintaining the Rights of the North,, 
the Unity of the Nation, the Liberties of the People, 
and the Honor of their Flag. As Engineers, as Ivglit 
and Heavy Artillery, as Cavalry, as Mounted, Blue 
legired and Red-legiied Infantry, as members of the 
Medical and General ttatf, citizens of Red Hook dis- 

* For a detailed history of the 130th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer In- 
fantry, see Appendix. 



53 

charged their duties as soldiers, as ofBcers, and as 
citizens faithfully to their Country, gloriously to tlio 
Union, and creditably to themselves. May their laurels 
be immortally green ! 

" The soldier's glory lives in story, 

His laurels grow green as his locks g^ow gray." 

Let Eed Hook never be wanting in gratitude to her 
soldiers. 

******* 

I now approach the most sad and solemn portion of 
my duty — the consideration of the crippled and suf- 
fering invalid and the requit^m of the dead. Before 
entering upon the subjects of our invalids and mar- 
tyrs, it is fitting to observe that the War is not an 
unmixed evil. There is an immense deal of good 
mingled with its miseries. It develops the manliness 
of a people, and tempers them as iron is converted into 
steel. Bu., setting aside the mere physical advan- 
tages of war, its mural influences arc no less striking 
upon the intellectual qualities of men. To have par- 
ticipated in this conflict is to have witness* d some of 
the most gigantic improvements in mechanics. Verily, 
it might be said that in our four years' conflict, War de- 
rived its grandest forces from an abnormal applica- 
tion of the Arts of Peace, and its greatest resources from 
prostituted efforts of Industr}-. Thus Peace in turn 
will receive a new impulse and find fresh sonrces of 
wealth in the vcr}^ inventions which owe their origin 
to the necessities of war. Even as in common life. 
just as Birth, and Life, and Death walk hand in 
hand, and mutually succeed and assist each other, 
even so War and Peace, or Destruction and Reproduc- 
tion (sad as it is to contemplate the truth), minister 
to human progress, and constitute the elements re- 
quisite for the healthy development of a Nation. 

What is more, the National soldier can look abroad 
with pride and witness the effects of our Civil War 
upon Foreign War. An iron-clad Navy had its prac- 
tical birth in our conflicts. Our Monitors are the 
models for the world. Our Ndval system stands first 
in the world, humbly to be imitated by the hitherto 
superior Naval Powers. From a third-rate, at best a 
second-rate, Naval Power, we bave risen so high, that, 
relatively, former first-class Powers have sunk as far 
below our former condition. Such a chamre is unex- 
ampled in the world since the Romans, a military 
power, by one effort surpassed the Carthas;enian.s, 
essentially a naval one. And all this was due, not 
to the Government officials, but to the mechanical 
adaptativeness and intelligence of our people. Again, 
even as the Old World received a new impulse a 
century since from this our New World, which im- 



.54 

pulse was the day-dawn of liberal institutions to tie 
Old World, even so our Civil War has been an ex- 
ample to the Prussians, which has wrought out the 
deliverance of three parts of Middle Europe, and over- 
thrown the greatest despotism which has ever ex- 
isted — that Austrian despotism which was based on 
enslaving not only the bodies and minds, but the very 
souls of men. The ideas — Civil, Political and Mii- 
tary — which were learned in our American Revo- 
lutionary struggle by Foreign Officers, who served 
under Washington, and were carried back by them 
to Europe, led to. the great French Revolution. 
These ideas occasioned its Declaration of Rights and 
Principles, and determined their success. For this the 
down-trodden millions of Europe owe to our Fathers 
an incalculable debt of gratitude. The recently de- 
livered Germans owe to the present generation of 
Americans an almost equal debt of gratitude, since 
liberal and progressive Prussia must ascribe her mar- 
velous success to the wise application of the lessons 
learned from and during our Civil War. Accord- 
ing to foreign advices, all the inventions^ adoptions, 
adaptations, developments and improvements which 
insured our triumph over the Rebellion were adopted 
and applied by the Prussian war-authorities, and the 
result of their own observation was a success unparal- 
lelled in the history of nations. 

But these philosophical and gratifying reflections, 
however important and interesting, are more appropri- 
ate to other occasions than the present, when all our 
thoughts should be directed towards our soldiers who 
survive, and to our martyrs who are dead. 

In casting a retrospective glance upon the minor 
events of the past war, it is painful to recall how 
little the faithful soldier had to boast, as far as the 
Government was concerned, over the unfaithful. To 
be sure, every honest man has a great reward in his 
own conscience; but a great country owes something 
more than that to fidelity and patriotism. In this 
war there was a perfect realization of the words of 
Solomon, that '' all things come alike to all, * * * 
to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificath 
not." We are seeing this every day. Copperheads, 
Peace Democrats, and even Rebels stand as well with 
the Administration as the strongest and most en- 
during Union men. Even so it was during the war 
in regard to the good and bad in our Army. lie who 
was in favor received a reward often unmerited and 
he who was in disfavor the stripes o ten undeserved. 
I was sufficiently struck with this fact the other 
night in reading over the lettei-s of a soldier, Ser- 
geant Charles K. McNiff, Company B, 20th N. Y. 
Militia, from Madalin, to deem his words worthy 



55 

of repetition before his fellow-citizens. He is one 
to whom Miss Landon's words exactly apply: 

" And telling a tale of gallant war, 
On his brow was a slight but glorious sear." 

" Mr. Stockings is a good and faithful soldier; also 
J. Hatton ; they have respect ; also the rest of the 
boys What do yon suppose a deserter is thought of 
here? Nothing at all, and I suppo-se but little at 
home. Might not a man rither be killed on the 
battle-field than to desert his regiment, flag and 
country, and have no respect for his parents?" 

And yet how little respect was paid to the merits 
of such soldiers ; how little consideration or justice for 
their feelings, in the true sense of the word. 

The same soldier quoted was promoted for good 
and faithful service, and placed in a very responsible 
situation, as Sergeant in charge of three ambulances.. 
Writing fron City Point, July 9th, 1864, he says : 
•' I will tell you of a little affair that transpired last 
Winter. There was a young fellow in Company B 
who went to Alexandria, overstaj'^ed his (leave) 
three days, and came back and was put in the Bull 
Ring (prisoners' pen) for four months and had six 
months' pay stopped Now mark the difference. A 

voung rogue by the name of B , deserted, and 

was gone eighteen months, comes back, gets all his 
back pay, no punishment, but favored with a good 
job as cl rk in the Hospital Department. The reason 
was, his father was rich, and cashier of a bank.'' 

This is not a solitary case. The impunity Mccorded 
to the most disgraceful desertions almost put a pre- 
mium on Bounty Jumping and Desertion. Many a 
man who deserved a bullet or a halter came back 
with a brevet, and many a man who deserved a 
brevet returned unnoticed. Rosecrans — one of the 
greatest generals, in the real sense of the word, 
who outmanoeuvred Lee and drove him out of 
West Virginia, who was the only Union general who 
gained victories over the Rebels, fighting four to five, 
two to three, one to two, and again, one to nearly 
two, xt luka, Co'inth, Stone River and Chattanooga — 
not only did not receive any promotion, but none of 
his immediate Staff ever received promotion. Why? 
Because he fell under the disfavor of the War De- 
partment. On the other hand, another general 
( I will not mention his name because he was a 
good Christian man), who occasioned the loss of one 
of the most important and gigantic battles of the war, 
was not (mly promoted, but placed in command over 
the head of one of the best and bravest, who subse- 
quent to his failure, achieved a success — a success 
which will remain in storv as long as historv continues 



. 56 

to be irritton. The first was placed over the bead 
of the very superior whose downfall had been oc- 
casioned by his fault or incapacity. 

Every American soldier who feels in his own bosom 
that he has discharged his duty with fidelity, and ful- 
filled his term of service bravely and conscientiously, 
can say with the British hero of the Spanish Peninsula, 
"These gewgaws (pointing to his stars, medals, clasps, 
and orders, represented in this country by brevets), 
these gewgaws prove nothing, b cause every soldier 
knows that a man maj- have deserved without obtain- 
ing, and have obtained without deserving them." I do 
not mean tosa^' that a brevet is without value. It is 
valuable, and eminently valuable, but only when it 
has been deserved and when the act for which it has 
been conferred has been set c'early forth in the com- 
mission. AVhat I mean to say is this, that every 
soldier that went forth without the incentive of those 
outtageous bounties which were held forth as induce- 
ments, in the latter years of the war especially — I 
refer particularly to those who volunteered in 1861 
and 1802, or vo'nntcered at any time without bounty, 
whether as an officer or as aprivate, and served out his 
whole term or served until incapacitated by w .unds 
or ill health, deserves as much consideration fro u his 
fellow-citizens as General Geant or Lieutenant- Gen- 
eral Sherman. Yes, more personal considerati(m than 
either, and should such a patriot be broken down by 
wo'inds or in consequence of ill health, and be suffered 
to come to want through the ingratitude of the Gov- 
ernment or of his neighbors, it is a damning disgrace 
not only to the General Government but to the State 
and to the County and to the Town to which he belongs, 
and in wlrch he resides. These last remarks, in re- 
gard to personal consideration, do not apply to those 
who received the enormois bounties paid in 18G4, or 
to those who sold themselves as substi'utes in the 
previous year. They put their own estimate upon 
themselves, pocketed the money, nnd their accounts 
are balanced. To the men p^trticu arly who went to 
the front in 1861 froTU motives of patriotism, or who 
volunteered in 1802 and in the begining of 1863, every 
honor and recompense is due which a country, pre- 
served and a i)eople saved, can show and pay to the 
men ; — to the boys, to the youths, to the young men, 
and to the old men who counted their lives as nothing 
so that the Constitution which their forefathers had 
signed and supported could be manitained ; so that the 
Union could be re-established ; so that the curse of 
Slavery could be abolished ; and so that this great Re- 
public could continue to exist as the greatest temple 
of freedom in the universe, as the asylum of the down- 
trodden of other lands, and the refuge of the oppres.^od 
t'irt'(i;_'-'n>-!t the world. 



57 

There is another class, however, who present them- 
selves in direct coiitras- with these patriotic and 
g:lorious defenders of our countr3^ — a class which 
stands even below those who denied to that 
count ry and those institutions the support of their 
votes and their influence, when both seemed in their 
death throes. T mean " Bounty Jumpers, and Desert- 
ers " — deserters in tlie true sense of the w- rd. These 
last deserve nothing but the execration and contempt 
of every iionest man. A minority received their dues 
on the gallows and at the place of execution by the 
rope and by the bullet. Of the majority some are in 
Canada, and some present their faces of brass in 
the presence of brave soldiers whom they deserted 
and sought to disgrace, A bounty jumper should be 
placed under the ban and interdicted from bread and 
water for evermore. Every deserter should be placed 
on trial by his fellow-citizens, and former fellow- 
soldiers, and if he cannot produce such proof in justifi- 
cation, as only one in a thousand can show, s^uch as hav- 
ing been entrapped when drugged, or having been the 
victim of the grossest injustice by those who enlisted 
him, he should be placed under the ban by every 
honest man as long as he lives. 

This monument is but a small memorial of Red 
Hook's parti ipationin the great struggle. Many ahead- 
ston" in our quie' country Church-yards will record 
the name of another victim to the vast conflict ; — one 
who came forth unmu ihiled and without a scar, who, 
like a gallant ship had ridden out the tempest with- 
out any perceptible injury, V>ut. nevei'theless, strained 
in everj' timber, subsequently founders in a calm sea 
and under a cloudless sky. To such, as well as to 
those who actually perished in the discharge of their 
dutv, and to those who came home to die from the 
effects of arduous -ervice, a monument is equally due. 
If their fellow-citizens, however, were to attempt to 
place over their sacred remains an honorary token, not 
one •• God's Acre" in our land but would present one 
or more such memorials of patriotism It is due to 
them that they should receive it. But, alas ! constituted 
as men are. how seldom do we pay the debt of grati 
tude to those who saved u-< fi'om the most imminent 
personal peril, much less and far more to those who 
saved what should be dearer to all, our national in- 
stitutions and oiir Fatherland. There are others again 
among us living memorials of the great Rebellion, mu- 
tilated, crippled, and scarred. Will they receive the 
reward due to their sufferings ? Will the living but 
mu'ilated heroes of the vas est conflict which has ever 
been waged on earth's face, receive the recompense 
commensurate to the perils they have gone through, 
and the sufferings they have experienced? In too 



58 

many cases tlieii' o ily reward will be the appi-oval of 
their own consciences, and the satisfaction consequent 
upon sei'vices manfully di-eliaijied, and privation.s 
cheerfully und rj^one in the noblest of causes This to 
aching, friendless, and limbless old aire is a reward as 
cold and unsatisfactoi-y as the oi'dinary charity of the 
world, in the niajorit}' of cases, at once destitute of 
the hands to give and the legs t() carry it to those 
who need it. Eaten bread is soon foi-gotten, is a com- 
mon pi'overb, but too true, and republics are proverb- 
ially ungrateful. Such being the case, it is a duty 
incumbent upon every man who did not go to the 
front, not only up<m those who live in large houses 
at their ease, and are considered in duty bound 
to dispense freely to every one, but upon the 
farmers and the mechanics who prospered by the 
war; upon every one. in evei'v class of life and in 
every calling, who were saved from the visitations of 
war b}- the valor and labors of those who went (ortli 
from their midst to meet the enemj- at the threshold 
of the North ; to see that those who did the fighting, 
and underwent thesufFering in their youth or in 'heir 
prime, shall not renew the struggle with want, and 
repeat the suffering with disea.se in their native dis- 
tricts, a d in the midst of those who were saved from 
the dangers and vicissitudes which they voluntarily 
or compulsorily encountered and triumphed over, on 
the blood-tlown battle-field, the gor^' deck, the tem- 
pestuous ocean, the laborious march the exposed 
camp ground, the infecti(jus hospital, and the drearv 
bed of sickness and of agonv. 

* * * ■!<- ******* 

This marble testimonial of this neighborhood's grate- 
ful remembrance of its patriotic dead, is but a feeble 
token of the respect which is due ro them. Ir i.s hs 
small in comparison as the actual evidence at Albany 
and New York, in regard to the real p.>trticipation of 
Red Hook in the great '' Amerii-an Conflict.'" which 
was a Natio 's struggle for existence. 

Upon its wes^er/i. side it bears an inscription which 
is worthy the calm, retiective examination of every 
American citizen; of every man who loves his country 
and its free institutions. 



THIS IMMI-DIATK. -SKIGHBOKHOOU 

to her 
DEFENDERS, 

WHO LOST THEIR LIVKS IN SUPPRKSSI XO TH R 

SLAVEHOI.DEKS' REBELLIO.V 
aiid sustaining the 

GOVKRNMKNT 

OF THE PEOPLE. FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. 



The southern nnd eastern sides bear the names of our 



59 

fell.)w <-ifizens who were killed in Kattle or died of 
w.iiinds re'-eived ii|).in liie battle-tifld. 

At Upton Hill Marcli 17, 1862, John Dkckeu 20th 
N. Y. S. M. 

Maniusas, .\iif,nist 30, 1862, Lieutenant Warren W. 

Chamberlain. 14th U. S. I. Alfred I asher, Georgb 

Kelly, Lkwis Redder, C. Gruntler, Junr 20th N Y 
8. M. ' 

Chantilly, September 1, 1862. Mnjor-General Philip 
Kearnt, U is. V. 

Antietam. September 17, 1862. Rufus Warringkr. 
20ih N. Y. S. M. ^ 

Chantilly. June, 1863. John Shleterer 150th 
N. Y. V. 

Kelly H Ford, September 17, 1863, Captain Augustus 
Barker 5tli N. Y. C. 

Dallas, May 2-i, 1864. Corporal i. F. Smith. 150th 
N. Y. V. 

Cold Harbor, June, 1864. Henrv Kline. 
V Atlanta, September 12, 1864, J. E. Pultz 160th 
N. Y V. 

WincheMer, September 19, 1864, Peter Wyer, 128th 
N. Y. V. 

Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, Andrew Decker 
6th N. Y. V. Cav. 

Five Forks, March 31, 1865, Andrew Fraleigh. Qlst 
N. V V. 

The north side bears the names of those who died 
of disease while in the Army, or after their return 
home, immediately in consequence ot maladies incur- 
red in the service. 

John Corrigan, May 22, 1861. 

John D. Martin, 7th :N. J. V.. on Lower Potomac, 
January (June ?) 3, 1862. 

Hiram Risedorf, 20th N. Y. S. M., at Upton Hill 
March 4, 1862. 

Eugene Livingston. 95th N. Y. V.. December 31. 
1862. '' 

H. N. Fisher, Assistant Surgeon. March 12, 1863. 

W. C. MuLLER, May 14, 1863. 

W. P. Bush, Assistant Surgeon, October 3, 1863 

Wm. Gaston, 7th N. J. V., June, 1864. 

Christian Gruntlkr, Senr.. 20th N. Y. S. M., July 
4, 1864. 

John Showerman, 128th N. Y. V., in New Orleans 
1864. ' 

Stephen IL Paulmier, 91st N. Y. V.. in Washinaton 
May 21, 1865. ^ ' 

Ezra J. Stickle, 150th N. Y. V., in Raleiah, N C 
May, 1865. ^ ' 

John van Etten; 128th N. Y. V., at Savannah, 
July 8, 1865. . ' 



60 

" Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead. 

Dear as the blood ye gavp ! 
No impious footsteps here shall tread • 

The herbage of your grave ; 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While Fame her record keeps, 
Or honor points the hallowed spot 

Where valor proudly sleeps. 

Yon faithful herald's blfi2oned stone, 

With mournful pride shall tell. 
When many a vanished age hath flown. 

The story how ye fell. 
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's flight 

Nor time's remoi seless doom, 
Shall mar one ray of glory's light 

That gilds your deathless tomb." 

The patriots ti) whom this uiOTiumeat is erected, dieii 
for their country. They were patriots in the truest, 
fullest, and clearest sense of the word. This marlile 
should be held sacred and the ground be deemed holy. 
The one should be maintained with care and the otiier 
be held inviolate, for both are contided to the safe- 
guard of the gratitude of those who survive, towards 
the dead, and the respectful solicitude of coming gen- 
erations. 

'Twas theirs to shield the dearest ties 

That bind to life the heart. 
That ramg'.o with the earliest breath, 

And with our last depart ! 

They were the guardians of a Nation's destiny, we 
andours are the guardians of their dust, their memo- 
ries, and the honors due to them. Their bones, it is 
true, do not repose beneath this obelisk. 

Their bones are on the Northern hill 

And on the Southern plain. 
By brook, by river, lake and rill. 

And by the roaring main. 

The land is holy wher • they fought. 

And holy w hero they tell ; 
For by their blood that land was bought. 

The land they loved so well. 
Then glory to that valiant band. 
The honored saviours of the land ! 

Of the sixteen killed and thirteen who died of variou;" 
maladies, to whom this memorial is erected in per- 
petual remembrance, tico i)erished in the discharge of 
the noblest duties of humanity, in the alleviation of 
suffering and disease. Tiit- first to succumb to the 
very evils he went forth to assuai:e was Dr. William 
P. BrsH, Assistant Surgeon 61st N. Y. V. ; the second 
was Dr. Henry N. Fisiiee, Assistant Surgeon, assigned 
for general service in the hospitals. Both died in con- 
sequence of their close attendance upon the victims of 
those maladies which are inseparable fro ii war and 
follow in the train of armies, maladies more fatal than 
the steel and bullet. Thousands are slain by the arrows 
of pestilence, where hundreds fall by the sword. Dr. 



61 

Bush died far away from hdoie and sympathetic 
friends. Dr. Fisiiee was more happy in that gentle 
hands and hjving looks soothed his last hours. 

It is commonly sujiposod that a surgeon's position in 
tlie Army is one of comparative satety. This is a very 
great error. "When the soldier is most secure the sur- 
geon is most exposed. Tlie hold surgeon, and there 
are very few surgeons who are not hold, almost always 
occupies a dangerous position. He is in danger in the 
tield. and often discharges his duty under fire, witli a 
coolness of which the mnjority of the best sold'ers are 
not capable. The surgeon must be cool, otherwise he 
cannot perform his operations or discharge his func- 
tions. And then when the temporary toils, consequent 
upon battles are over, lie musi live and breathe, as it 
were, in the miasma of tiie hospital. 

It is true that the laurel of the soldier and of mili- 
tary glory is wanting on their brows and to their 
tombs, but the halo which attends the conscientious 
discharge of the highest duty of a Christian, throws a 
light no less glorious upon their names and around 
their memories. 

He who was our great exemplar exhibited his high- 
est attributes of power and mercy in healing tlie sick 
and restoring the maimed. All those who perish in a 
like ennobling ^ervice are entitled to as much con- 
sideration as the soldier or ofScer wlio falls at his post 
in the discharge of a difterent, but not more dangerous 
duty. Yes, indeed, those who wore the green sash 
were patriots as noble as any who wore the red or the 
hnff. With their lives and deaths they demonstrated 
tlieir patriotism, that virtue of all virtues: 

" The Deity himself proves it divine " — 
" For, when the Deity conversed with men, 

He was himself a Patriot !— to the Earth — 

To all mankind a Saviour was he sent ; 

Aiid, all lie loved with a Kedeemer's love ; 

Yet still, his wanni'st love, his tendcrest care, 

H s life, his heart, hi? blessings, and his mournings. 

His smiles, his tear.s, he gave to thee— Jerusalem— 

To thee his country !" — 

With regard to those who died of diseases, I have 
not been able to learn the |)articulars in every case. 
Of seven out of tlie twelve nothing has been reported, 
except name. date, and in four instances, the locality. 
Despite my diligent inquiry my research has been suc- 
ces^ful only as to those who enlisted from "this immedi- 
ate neighl oiliood,"' in the strictest sense of the tertr. 
Oi these last, four, two died far away — Hikam Rise- 
DORF, 20th N. Y. S. M., 80th Volunteers, and John 
Van Etten, 128tii N. Y. V. The one of congestive 
biliary disease or couMirnption, upon the very thresh- 
old of his military career, at Upton Hill, opposite Wash- 
ington ; the other from congestive chills, a tearful 



&2 

malady, fit Savaiiniih. Ga.. when, actualiv, ]ii:' soldierly 
course wa-< ended, and lie was lookitii,' forward, after 
three years' service, to a li:ij'|>y reuirn to lii- lioine and 
friends and natal soil. 

Poor HiKAM RisKPORF, liis tate was a sad one. No 
American hut has tasted sometimes, in some desrree, of 
the comforts of home. He was sick with consumption 
or disease of the liver, either a most de|)ressin^ malady. 
He applied to his surgeon to be relieved from guard 
duty, hecause he felt too unwell to perform it. The 
doctor, grown hard in dealing with shams, thought he 
likewise was shirking his dury. So the |)oor sick fellow 
went on his cold, wet, and dreary guard, doubtless 
with the sh.'idows of death darkeiung around hitn in 
his solitary vigil. Death, unless sudden and unex- 
pected, is fearful to the boldest, though pride may 
suffice to conceal the pang as the skeleton hand slowly 
draws aside the veil between life and eternity. lie re- 
turned to his tent, there without sympathy or solace 
to wrestle it out with the grim conquerer ot all the 
living. And when, a few h(nirs after, they came to 
seek him he wa> dead. And so they carried him out 
to his soldier's grave, near F:dls Church ; the accus- 
tomed vollies rattled over the carelessly heaped turf, 
and one more man was lost, but not forgotten in the 
Armies of the Union. 

Well might the poet declare of death that if it 

" <'ome in consumption's ghastly torm, 
Ci me when the heart beats high and warm, 

Anii thou art terrible. 
But to the hero when his sword 

Has won the battle for the free, 
Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word. 
And in its hollow tones are heard 

The thanks of millions yet to be." 

And so died Kkakny and our brave brothers wlio 
fell amid the shock of battle, the crash of musketry, 
rlie diapason of the cannonade, and all the hundred 
cries and ?ounds which swell the fearful music of the 
churm of battle. 

Thus died Pnii.ip Keahny. Major General U. S V., 
and thus died Warken W. Chamberlain, Lieutenant 
4th U. S. Infantry, Aide de-camp to General Sykes, 
unequal in fame, but e(iualin many grand or at rac'ive 
qualities. In one respect, however, they both deserve 
especial honor, since both fell refusiii:^- to surrender, 
aud preferiui! the chance of death to becoming prison- 
ers to Rebels. The first was hit by a single bail out 
of a volley delivered b.\ a Louisiana regiment, in the 
night action of Chantilly, l>t September; the second 
was picked ott' by two Texan scouts or sharpshooters 
in the battle of Mana.ss s or Bull Run, second, on the 
30th August, 1862. 



63 

Tims, iiuieed. <lie(l Major-Geiitial Philip Kearny, 
N. V. VoluntetTs, wliu fell in tlie night action of 
(Jliantillv, 1st September, 1S62. "refusing to suiren- 
(Iff,'" and preferring tlie <^hance of death to becoming 
a prisoner to Pu'bels. Had he lived he was destined 
to th«- liigliest honors, common report designating 
iiim, our General " Fouwaiujs," always ready, as the 
successor of the " unready'' McCi-kllan. 

" Death makes no conqueKt of thin conqueror, 
For now he livi s in fame, il not in lite " 

foneral Kearmv was born in the city of New York 
in 1815, and entered the First U. S. Dragoons 8th 
March, 1837, as from New York. Subsequent to that 
assumption of a soldier's duty, his military career 
stantls almost unparallelled in its variety and honors. 
He was the Bayard of America from the day w hen 
he lost his am. at the San Antonio gate ot Mexico, 
down to the hour when he left his body on the field 
of Chantilly The Prairies of the farthest West, the 
Atlas '• Gates of lion," the valleys of the Hispano- 
»^Anierican Sierras, the Pedrigal of Mexico, the moun- 
tains of the far d stant northwestern Columbia, the 
plains of Lombard}', the swamps o^ the Chickahominy, 
the shores of the Potomac — regions the most remote 
— were to him the theatres of glorious combat and 
the scene.-, of invariable distinction. The most savage 
American Indians, the untamed and untamable 
Kabyle>, the Aztec and his hybrid Spanish successors, 
the Austrian, the Frank, the Italian, and the fiercest 
Rebels, all, equally, bear testimon}- to his surpassing 
merit as the dashing dragoon, the reliable aide-de- 
camp, the daring captain, the intrepid volunteer, and 
the consummate general. 

Three Continents — America, Europe and Africa — 
bail him equally as one who, against Southern au- 
dacity, European discipline, and Barbarian ferocity, 
manifested the highest type of chivalric soldiership. 

" 'Mill the bravest, the bravest, wherever war's tide 

In it^ oiaddeuing tuibulence poured 
O'er the tremulous ].l;iin. when the smoke rolled aside, 

How glittered our Paladin's sword ! 
Where the cactuses flowered and giant pines towered 

Till a cloud-crown encircled each head; 
Where date-palms droop'd o'er and the laden vines bowered 

The heaps of the stitt'ening dead ; 
On the Aztec Sierra, Algeria's sand, 

Shone bis panache a guiding star. 
Till 'mid tempest of battle he seemed to command, 

Like very war-god's Avatar. 

With the sword i ■ his right hand, the pistol in left, 

When the enemy swarmed about, 
While his teeth held the bridle, he shot and he cleft, 

Ills way through the Bedouin rout ; 
Then ot one arm bereft, with a smile on his face, 

He breasted the bayonet's gleam ; 



64 

WTiile he spurred on hi? gray with a chivalrous grace. 

Recalling bright miildle afje dream. 
When the breast of the knij^ht was the fortresi and ahrine 

Of all that was noble and true ; 
Till he fell in his harness, the last of his line, 

Maintaiuint; the red, white and blue. 

By the camp-fire's gleam will French chasseur relate 

The tale of his soldierly bearing ; 
And wild Kabyles tell, how like the sabre of Fate, 

The American volunteer's daring ; 
Savage chiefs will repeat to their wondering braves — 

All his followers' hardships sharing — 
How h" fought thro' t^ieir forests, dells, mountains and wares. 

Like Manitou's arrows unsparing ; 
And when rebels are crushed, how they stories will sprea-l 

Of that terrible " one-armed devil," 
Who retreating, the hindm st, e'er charging ahead, 

Seemed the " incarnation of evil." 

A heart more intrepid in mortal man's breast 

Never echoed the trumpet's to7ie ; 
A spirit more generous never confessed 

Compassion for sufferer's groan ; 
A brighter eye kindling with eagle-like glance 

'Mid the death struggle never shone ; 
And blither a chevalier never couch'd lance 

When the signal to charge was blown ; 
'Mid battles wild ohurm he led off the dance 

With a recklessness all his own, 
And when others but look'd at death's revel askance. 

He rattle death's skeleton throne. 

America's Bayard, sans fear or reproach ; 

His head full of strategy's lore ; 
No rival in arms can his merits approach 

Or wear the proud title he wove. 
To his comrades a model, to foemen a dread ; 

To his country a sword and a shield ; 
A war-cry while living, a watch-wnrd when dead. 

Brave Kearny still marshal'd the field. 
As long as our martyr's dear banner shall wave. 

So long shfill his prestige survive ; 
So long shall his countrymen honor his grave. 

And each conflict his exploits revive. 
In the forefront of bi^ttle, as hoped for, he died ; 

In the forefront of glorv he stands ; 
And as long as the stars and the stripes are our pride 

Phil Kearny's the pride of our lands." 

How well he .showed himself in h-s true colors when, 
after the demoralization of the first battle of Bull 
Run, he assumed an advanced position beyond the Po- 
tomac a<rainst the gi-neral opinion, with his iirtleNew 
Jersej Brigade, and made it the magnificent unit it 
became in the face of the whole Rebel host — the out- 
post, as it were, of the massing and organizing Fede- 
ral Grand Army. 

When grateful America aflBxes his tablet to the 
walls of her Federal Temple of the Immortal dead, in 
memory of her faithful son and soldier, it will be suffi- 
cient to inscribe beneath hi.s name those ever-memor- 
able wonls which have become historical — words 
spoken at a time when the Rebels themselves conceded 
that all th t was required to carry our Army victori- 
ous at Malvern IlilL through the flying and disorgan- 
ized ranks of the discomfitted Secessionists, into 



65 

Richmond, was tlie will of the Union commander, and 
the word ' Forward." instead of" Fall Back," from 
liis lip-. 

When the coniniand for the retreat at JJ((rrii<o/is 
Landing was received b}' an indignant a' d eager 
Army, lost in amazement at such a resolve, the brave 
ami chivalrous Keaunv said in the p esence of many 
officers : 

" I, Philip Kearnv, an old soldier, enter my 
solemn protest against this order for retreat. We ought 
instead of retreating to follow up the enemy and. talcs 
Richmond. And. in full riew of the responsibility of 
such a declaration, I sai/ to all, such an order can only 
he promjjted by cowardice or treason." 

The news of the breaking out of the "Slaveholders' 
Rebellion*' reached General Kearny in Europe. He 
at once returned home to offer his tried sword and 
matured experience to his country. He first repaired 
to Albany to obtain the recognition of his native 
State(N. w York), by his appointmentas ^'cneral. For 
reasons unexplained and inexplicable his application 
was rejected, while men far less able were accepted. 
Then it was that he received an appointment through 
friends from New Jersey, and thus became i ^entitled 
with that State. His body rests in his and my family- 
vault in Trinity Church-yard, New York City. Thus 
fhrouffh Ids famil}', by birth, by his first appoint- 
ment in the Army in 1837, and in death he was a New 
Yorker. 

Meanwhile, throughout life his heart was ever in 
this beautiful region. He returned hither, again and 
again, to select and f)uy a home. By predilection he 
belongs to this neighbjrhood. 

After voyages to ;ind from and around the world, and 
travelling to countries — such as Otaheite, China and 
Ceylon— seldom visited, except in pursuit of gain, he 
came here, again and again, to Tivoli, and standing on 
our pine-clotlied shore, with our magnificent moun- 
tains before his eyes, our majestic river at his feet, 
and the murmur of air. of trees, and of waves whisper- 
ing music in ' is ears, he was wont to exclaim, " T have 
been through<jut the world, and, after all, when I get 
back her'- and look around me, I feel I have seen 
nothing more beautiful, nothing so beautiful else- 
where." Or, as remarked at another time, " The more 
[ gaze upon this scenery, the more it satisfies. One 
can dwell in its midst or return to it again and again, 
without its tiring. It is satisfying!}' lovely. Always 
the same in its features and effects, yet ever changing 
in its expression, and ever presenting some new or 
hitherto unnoted charm." 

If strangers are thus effected by our natural sur- 



66 

roundings how dear should they be to those to whom 
they are the birth-place and home. 

" Sweet clime of my kindred, blest home of my birth ! 
The fairest, the dearest, the brightest on tarth ! 
■Wher'er I may roam— how'er blest I mav be, 
My spirit instinctively turns unt-" thee !" 

General Kearny was not an anjrel, as some people 
think they or their friends are. Some persons con- 
sider themselves, some deem particular friends, for the 
time being, angels. I have never seen one yet, 

" But we are all men. 

In our own nature frail ; and capable 
Of our flesh, pkw ark angkls!" 

With other 7ne«. and like bluff King Harry, " T love 
to look upon a man " capable of planning, daring en- 
during, executing. Such whs Genernl Philip Kearny, 
nothing less, nothing m.re. " The bravest man I ever 
knew," said Lieutenant-General Scott, "and the most 
perfect soldier." 

Strangers honored him. could land mine do less ? 
When his funeral procession passed through Newark, 
its population was poured into the streets, militia, 
firemen, civili>tns, men, women and children and as 
the body was borne along in solemn silence, through 
those long miles of living men, strangers to the dead, 
there was tears, and plentiful tears upon the cheeks of 
those who knew him only as in life he moved among 
them. But they knew his glorious qualities. Tf 
strangers were thus moved, would I not have been 
recreant had I not appealed to you, dear neighbors, to 
assist me in doing honor to the — my, illustrious dead? 

This was the reason that I was so anxious that his 
name should appear on this monument, that it might 
be associated with the names of brave men, from this 
neighborhood, who fought by his side on the field 
where he fell — names which it will ever be my own 
and my children's pleasure to honor. Moreover, 
while I and mine should always have had an interest 
in the other names, we shall have a double interest 
now, in hold ng this monument and site as sacred, be- 
cause ray honored cousin's name is there. He and I. 
too, were the last males of an old and honored race. 
We were brought up together as brothers in a child- 
less grandfather's house, in which our mothers had 
died. My eldest son was his aide-de-camp, and first 
saw fire under him. My early companions and con- 
nections were his associates. My friends were his 
fi'iends. Red Ilook men fought with him, near him 
and beside him when he fell. He valued Hooker and 
"Fighting Joe" valued him. They fought in the 
same corps and they relied upon each other. When 



67 

Hooker, hard pressed and bis own troops nearly ex- 
hausted at Widianisburgh, saw himself abandoned bv 
those wlio shouhl have been the first to supp rt him. 
he sent word back, through storm and mire and 
loitering after loitering divisions, to Kearny, far in the 
rear, '• to hurry forward." Other brigades and legi- 
ments intervened, but his trust was in Kearny. " Tell 
Hooker I am coming," said Kearny, to the Aide who 
carried Hooker's message. And Kearny did come 
and saved Hooker. 

Do you wonder, now, that I wanted his name upon 
this monument ? T, who thought so much of him 
living, and honor him so greatly whe-i dead. I, who 
was bound to him by blood, by association, bv ad- 
miration wiiile he was livintr, and h\' greater admiration 
and duty now that he has fallen on the field of honor, 
for you fellow-countrymen and neighbors, for me. and 
for our country. 

Other States and oth-^r localities mav rear taller 
and statelier monuments to his inemor}^, but he would 
value none as much as this — his first memorial — set 
up imong scenes he loved so well, and coupled with 
the names of soldiers who fell like him in defence of a 
common Fatherland and Flag. 
******* 

The incidents attending the fall of Lieutenant Cham- 
berlain were as unusual and sad as the fallen man was 
remarkable for moral and physical attractivenees. 
Few men are jauntier and handsomer than lie was, few 
more genial and agreeable, 

" Generous as brave 

Affection, kindness, the sweet oflBoes 

Of loie and duty, were to him as needful 

As his daily bread." — 

As an evidence of his fine personal appearance, I 
was passing through the hall of Willard's Hotel, 
Washington, in the Summer of 1861, when my attfn- 
tion was struck by the graceful carriage and form of 
an otficer, whose face was turned away examining 
prints or [capers lying on an adjacent table. Satisfied 
that so fine a figure must have corresponding features, 
I made a movement which induced him to turn. As 
he did so. I recognized Warrex W. Chamberlain, of 
Lower Ked Hook. Were the details of his last hour 
generally known, romance would make them her own 
and poetry breathe its sweetest numbers in doingjust- 
ice to them. 

" A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman, 

Fram'd in the prodigality of nature, 

Young, valiant, wise, and, as he proved, right loyal— 

Were seldom to be found." 

Durinij the second battle of Bull Run, Chamberlain 
Aide to General Sykes, was sent with orders to Colonel, 



6« 

(now Major-Geiieral) G. K. Wakken, then coiiniiand- 
5th N. Y. v., (Duryea's Zouares.) On his way he 
was hailed hy an untlying Rebel picket, composed ot' a 
Texan 9(!out named Haggskty and his son. Ouambeu- 
LAiN kept on, without heeding tlie call to lialt and sur- 
render. Tiieronpon both ritieinen tired and h)dged 
their balls in his body. Chambeklain fell from his 
horse, and his slayers came up to him ; then v>ou by 
bis gentle bravery, they remained by his side offering 
what rude consolation they could, and about half an 
hour afterwards closed liis eyes. lietore he died 
Chamberlain drew a letter from his pocket which he 
had written to his beloved brother before the battle 
coMimenC'-d, and with enfeebled hand and failing 
strength, but unfaltering courage, added in pencil. " / 
am dying, August SO, God bless you,'' and died. The 
Texan Hagoertv is reporteil to have said that during 
the war he had killed many without compunction, but 
the instant that Chamberlain fell he expressed his 
regret to his son, as he knew by his bearing that the 
officer was a gallant fellow, and with this conviction 
he remained with liis victim until he died, and promised 
to see that the letter — which then and tljere received 
a postscript so terribly mournful — should be forwarded 
to its direction. " The officer," continued Haggerty, 
" said but little, yet enough to melt my heart and to 
compel me involuntarily to as'c his forgiveness which 
was freely and nobly accorded." 

No one who knew Warren W. Chamberlain could 
fail to recognize in the dying soldier the "gentle 
gentleman " they had so often gladlv met in happier 
hours. 

*' Of those who fell on that dis.istrous day 
Their pra se is hymn'd on loftier harps than ininv ; 
Yet one l would selec' from that proud throng, 
# ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

♦ * # ♦ ♦ 

And partly that bright names will hallow song ; 
And his was of the bravest, and when shower'd 
The death-bolts deadliest the thinn'd files along, 
Even where the thickest of war's tempest lower'd. 
They reach'd no nobler breast than thine, young, gaUant 
Howard." 

The eleveuth from this vicinity, John Decker, 20tJi 
N. Y. S. M., or 80th N. Y. V., lost his lite by a chance 
shot, young in years and young in a soldier's tri.ils. 
His regiment had been detached in the ilirection of 
Alexandria to meet an expected attack. Tnis did not 
occur. Returning hotnewards a careless soldier lie- 
longing to the I4th Brooklyn, encanified on their line 
of march, discharged his piece at random, and the ball 
passed through the bowels of unlortunate Decker. He 
lived a few days in great sutlering, aiul then died 21si 
March, 1862. His comrades from this neighborhood 
contributed to pay the expenses of sending his body 



69 

home, and it now lies buried under the shadow (north) 
of the old Red Church by the side of liis father and 
friends. To perish tlius by a friendly bullet was sad, 
indeed, but his death was as honorable to him as 
though he had died in battle, for he fell in the service 
and in tlie uniform of his country. 

When the patriot falls, must he fall in the battle. 
Where the cannon's loud roar is his only death rattle,! 
There's a warfare where none but the morally brave 
Stand nobly and firmly, their country to save. 
'Tis the war of opinion, where few can be found, 
On the mountain of principle, guarding the ground, 
With vigilant eyes ever watching the foes. 
Who are prowling around them, and aiming their blows." 

To those who would regret or murunir that this 
young man died so early, and to so little purpose, let 
them remember blind old Milton's consolation, that 
in the discharge of duty 

" They also serve who only stand and wait." 

Two Others came home to die. Of these, one, Eu- 
(WSNE Livingston certainly deserves the highest credit 
if there is any degree in ]mtriotism. Even with the 
lirst sound of alarm be hastened to enrol himself. A 
pupil of the Highland Mili ary College, established at 
Newburgh, on West Point principles, he seemed to feel 
that even young as he was he might be of service. 
This brave lad abandoned ever\ thing which could 
make life attractive. He bad not vet attained the age 
when his country could legally demand his services, 
jind his feeble Constitution would Inive txempted him 
from military duty under any circumstances. But, 
however frail the tabernacle, it enclosed an adventur- 
ous spirit. His great-grandfather had taken a promi- 
nent part in eKtahlisbing and Imilding up our country. 
A kindred patriotic ardor glowed in the bosom of our 
tirst Chancellor's great-grandcliild, and inspired bun 
to offer his feeble arm to sjtve that which his ancestor 
had assisted to inaugurate. Ninety years ago Robert 
R. Livingston signed the Declaration of our Independ- 
ence. Five years ago his youthful descendant conse- 
crated his frail life to maintaining that free govern- 
ment which that declaration may be said to have called 
into being. 

After a tirst enlistment, of whose particular? there 
is no record, be was mustered in the DSth N. Y. V., 
(Wakren Rifles). Placed on guard at Cawp Thomas, 
near Washington, he died, eventually, after eight 
months suffering on the 31st December, 1862, a victim 
to one night's unaccustomed exposure, a martyr to 
what the world would call hereditary ])atriotisra. The 
man and the youth both deserve equal remembrance 
from their countrymen. Success crowned the efforts 
of tlie one, and death the resolution of the other; but 



70 

in the judgment of the impartial, the crown i;* due to 
the hrave youth whose name is inscribed upon the 
memorial we have contributed to raise and establish. 
He was one of those who were born to feel 

" Our Country first, their glory and their pride, 
Land of their hopes, land where their tatherrj died. 
When in the right, they'll keep thy honor bright, 
When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right. 

Ettgene Livingston, of thee, youth, patriot, martjr, 
may we truly say that 

While the tree 

Of freedom's wither'd trunk puts forth a leaf, 
Even for thy tomb a garland let it be 

The second in this category was Christian Grunt- 
LEB, Senr., a German, who likewise may be said to 
have given his life for his adopted country, and'nhat 
country owes a debt t<> his surviving family. Neither 
his age nor his pbysical strenth jiistitied his enrolment 
as a soldier, but he was enroled, and went forth and 
performed what duty be was able to perform. Dis- 
charged in consequence of ill health, he came home 
and died of disease, dropsy, engendered by the bard- 
ships to which he had been exposed, which he was 
incapable of supporting. 

Three others' of our brethren, Alfked Lashkk, Geo. 
H. Kelly, and Lewis Keddek, all belonging Company 
B, 20th N. Y. S. M., or 80th K Y. V., were struck 
down in the forefront of battle in Pope's disastrous 
combat, on the SOtli August, 1862, on., the same tield 
of Bull Run, second, or Manassas, upon wliich our 
Army had been di.scomfited on the 23d July, of the 
previous year, 18(il. If cotemporaneous history is to 
be believed, had McClellan and his proteges done 
their duty at the time by their country, as these our 
fallen neighbors, these latter might have enjoyed the 
dying satisfaction of feelingthat they fell on the theatre 
of triumph. In such a case the success of our arms 
might alleviate, in a meji.sure. our sorrow at their 
loss. 

Of tlie incidents attending their death, we have no 
account. They were standing up to their work like 
men wlien the victorious Rel)el wave swept over them ; 
our Army was forced from tiie ti.-!(l. and nameless 
graves received our Union dead. 

A fourth member ofthiscompany, Christian Geunt- 
LER. Junr., had his lower jaw shattered by a mu.-ket 
shot in this same l)attie. Although lie lived for twen- 
ty-four hours, and survived his transport to the Alex- 
andria hospital, the wound was fatal. He must have 
Ruft'ered the acutest agony since it was impossible for 
him to swallow, and he was thus incapable of taking 
either stimulants or nourishment or medicine. 



71 

On the 17th Septt-inber folio wiDg, RuFus Wakkingek, 
of the same company and rejiiment, was shot through 
the bowels at Sharpsbiirg or Antietam, ii<itis variously 
iJityled — the battle which ''our soldiers won and their 
general lost.'' He died iu the arms of a comrade, Ser- 
geant Charles K. McNiff, and that same comrade 
ccmsigned him to his grave on the battle-field. 

One year afterwards, but under a far ditFerent style 
of commaudtr from McClbllan, fiery PaiL Sheridan, 
Peter Wykr of Color Company C, 128th Regiment N. 
Y. v., an Irishman by birth, but an American in heart 
and action, fell shot thronj^h the heart, in the victori- 
ous conflict of the 19th September. 1864 — a conflict 
whose result sent the discomfited Rebels whirling 
homewards up the Shenandoah Valley. In this battle 
variously known as Wivchester, or Bnnler Hill, or of 
the Opeccan Creek, the regiment to which Wykr be- 
longed greatly distinguished itself. According to his 
comrade, Sergeant Henry Bkundage, who st-iod be- 
hind him wliei) he fell, Peter Wyer was a neat and 
brave and efficient soldier, and so he died. Prompt, 
unflinching and reliable at all times, he died like a 
brave soldier, happily without a pnng. 

One month afterwards, 19th October. 1864, Alfred 
Decker, of the 6th N. Y. Cavalry, was killed at Cedar 
Creek, that remarkable double-battle, at once a disas- 
trous defeat and a gloriously decisive victory. The 
early morning of tliat day witnessed a surprise and 
almost a disorganization of the Union Army. The 
genius, audacity and influence of one man converted 
that defeat and flight into an advance and victory, and 
a pursuit almost without example to the discomfited 
Rebels. 

The last in order in thi> brief necrology is Captain 
AccrsTis Barker. 

" Brief, brave and glorious was his young career." 

At the age of 19 years he was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant. 4th December, 1861, in the 5th N. Y'. V., 
Cavalry. Twice promoted for gallant and honorable 
service, he was shot by guerrillas at Hartwood 
Church, near Kellys Ford, in Virginia, on the 17th 
September, 1863. On the ensuing day he died, a vic- 
tim at the murderous hands of Rebels, who for every 
hundred killed in honest tight, have assassinated thou- 
sands either singly, as they killed Barker, or whole- 
sale as at Fort Pillow, or in thousands by slow tor- 
ture iu their loathsome prison-pens and hospitals. 

And now these Rebels who have been slaying our 
brethren for five years, come and ask from us equality 
of rights fur the future, and oblivion for the past. 
There are men, like an accidental President, would 
elevate them anove the patriotic citizens who defied 



them in the field, onlv to be betrayed for them in the 
cabinet. 

la perfect contrast to this policy of Andkew Joun- 
60N WHS the action of h)yal tiery Phil Siieuidan. 

Ah I fair Shenandoah, thou nest of the robber, 
How stands the count with thy people to-day ! 

Where is the fire now, 

Showing thy ire now, 
Blazine:, while gazing with fear and amazement. 
As on it crept swittly from door-post to casement. 

Weeping with pale dismay. 

Stood moids and matrons gray f 
Has it not spread to the end of the valley '>. 
Did it not follow thee in thy grand nilly, 
Sheridan, Sheridan, cavalry Sheridan ' 

In requital ot this murder of Captain Bakker and 
other similar atrocities, Sheridan laid waste the Rebel 
territory which harbored such assassins, and raised a 
wail whose warning voice doubtless saved many a 
Northern man from a similar fate to that of the 
unfortunate young officer. 

"What though the mounds that mark'd each name. 

Beneath the wings ot Time, 
Have worn away ! — Theirs is the fame 

1 mmortal and sublime ; 
For who can tread on Freedom's plain. 
Nor wake her dead to life again ?" 

In conclusion, let me remark that results are often 
determined by a concurrence of circumstances, the wis- 
dom of whose co-operation those, who are most op- 
posed to them at the time, afterwards see and under- 
stand. Such has been the case with the location of 
this monument. Divers sites were canvassed and the 
one selected was a compromise. Calm reflection nmsi 
decide that it is the best. It stands in the midst not 
only of the present generation, but of those who are 
growing up to succeed them. As long as its material 
endures, be it a hundred, be it a thousand years, its 
inscription will preach a sermon of Republican-Demo- 
cracy — that is Democracy in the true, and not in the 
perverted sense of the term — and of Patriotism. When 
the men of this generation have passed away, some 
child will ask one of those who are children now, 
"Father, what does it mean for men to lose their liv.-s 
in suppressing a Slaveholders' Rebellion ? "' Then the 
father will tell tlie enquirinj; child how 800,000 Free- 
men had to lay down their lives to put an end to a 
curse which had demoralized and almost incurably 
poisoned a large portion, even of our Northern free- 
men, so that they were willing their country should 
perish rather than a political party should fall. Then the 
kind parent will go on to explain to that little one be- 
longing to a generation which will scarcely be able to 
comprehend such depravity, how 250,000 slave- 
holders or oligarchs were able to rule nearly 



73 



30.000,000 of peoi)lt', throngh the wealth and power 
which they had acquired hy trading in human being?, 
like cattle, and hy buying, selling, and breeding men 
and women with souls whiter than their own; — slave- 
holders, or oligarchs, constituting tJie basis of a domi- 
neering tyranny, whose boast it was that it took tlio 
fresh moulded iuiage <>f God tVom his hand and stamped 
upon ir, in the liour of its birth, " Goods and chattels 
J) er son a J." 

xM'rerwards, doubtless the rest of the inscription will 
likewise demand an explanation. Very likely the 
questi()n will be asked, '■ Where did they get those con 
eluding words? " What must be the answer? Those 
emphatic ttords are from a sjjeech admitted by critics, 
foreign and native critics of the highest order, to be 
the finest which ever fell from human lips. 

This speech, it will have to be told, was made by a 
man who, from a Western rail-spliiter or day-laborer, 
••ose to be President of the United States, to live for 
ever in history as America's second Wasiiington. This 
si>^^ch was made by a great and good man, who began 
by piloting a fiat boat on the Mississippi, and ended by 
directing the helm of Government ; who, after piloting 
this country tlirough four years of tiie most fearful war 
which ever raged ; and after having been re-elected to 
the Presidency by a satislied and victorious people, 
was assassinated by the side of liis Avife, by an agent 
and exemplar of that very spirit which produced tlic 
• Slaveholders' Eehellion," a treason whicli our brethren 
died to oi)pose and suppre-s. This speech was made 
by that wise but uuprttending Abuaiiam LixcoLX, avLo 
enjoys the supreme honor, the blessed and glorious 
distinction, of iiaving emancipated, at once and Ibrever, 
4,000,000 of human beings, hitherto as destitute of 
rights as the beasts of burthen, reasonless and soidless; 
chatties according to Southern legal language, classed 
with tlu'ir mules and tlieir cotton gins. This speech 
was made at the dedication of a National Cemetery to 
receive tliose who fell at Gettysburg, that battle won 
by our soldiers and not by our generals, which deter- 
mined the fate of the war and of slavery. 

I cannot finish my address to-day, fellow-citizens, 
better tiuin by appropriating some of the language of 
that speech and adapting tlie rest to the change of 
locality and season. 

Ninety > ears ago our fathers brought forth upon this 
confine t a new Nation, conceived in liberty and dedi- 
cated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 
For over four years we were engaged in a great civil 
war, testing whether that Nation, or any Nation, so 
conceived or dedicated, could long endure. W'e are 
met to set up a memorial of those who perished on the 



bottle-fields '>f that vvnr. We are met To dedicate or 
inaugurate a inonumetit to tliose who gave up their 
lives that that Nation miglit live. It is altogether fit- 
ting and proper that we should do this. 

But in a larger sense, w? cannot consecrate, we can- 
not hallow any ground dedicated to the memory of our 
patriot martys. The lirave men, dead, whose names 
are inscribed upon this marble, have consecrated it far 
above our power to add or detract. The world will little 
note nor long remember what we say or do here ; but 
it can never forget what our dead soldi- rsdid. It is for 
us, the living, rather to be dedicated ro the unfinished 
work that they so nobly carried on. It is rather for 
us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before 
us — that from the honored dead we take increased de- 
votion to the causf for which they ga\e the last, lull 
measure of devotion— tiiat we ht-re highly resolve that 
the dead shall not have died iti vain — that the Nation, 
under God, shall iiave a new birth of Freedom, and that 
the Government of the People, by the People and for 
the People, shall not perish from the earth. 
Amen I So be it I 

N. B. — Remarks referring to pages 25-51. In thene 27 pages there 
are many things in fxprfssion. style and typography for which the 
author cannot h Id himselt responsible. Had the work been carried 
on as he had reason to expect it would have been, they would ha^e 
been remedied. The remarks in regard to generals ore not his own, 
but those of the parties who furnished the facts or reviewed the copy. 

Omission -Appendix to Note 11, Page 15, — Robert L. Living- 
ston. — This officer accompanied the Srst Union advance to Manassas 
in 1862; was present at Big Bethel; at Yoiktown; at Hnnover 
Court-house, where he received his first promotion for bravery ; at 
Mechanicsville, simply in support, however ; at Gaine^'s Mills, where 
he behaved remarkably well. There, having reformed the 12th New 
York Volunteers, he led it forward, carrying the regimental flag, on 
horseback, until it was taken from him and borne by his General, 
BuTTBHFiELD. At Mechanic^viUe he, likewise, rallied the 16th 
Michigan, which, subsequently, behaved magnificently. In this 
effort he was finally assisted by the Prince de .Ioinville, who had 
ridden up to compliment him on his conduct. Lieutenant Living- 
ston passed through all the terrible conflicts, in which he was p eser t, 
without a scratch, except upon one occasion. This was at Turkey 
Bend, the day before Malvern Ilill, July 1, 1862, where a shell burst 
under his horse, and threw over both animal and rider. Captain 
HoYT, As.sistant Adjutant- General on Major-General Bi'ttkrfiei,d's 
staff, who was near the spot, thought Aide-de-Camp Livingston was 
killed. During this campaign Lieutenant Livingston carried orders, 
everywhere, under fire, not only for his own General, but for Gen- 
erals Griffin, F P , and others. He resigned at Fred- 
ericksburg, on account of an accident received, according to the 
official report, in the line of hia duty. J L. 



NOTE I. TO PAGES ?.-4 



HOW TIIK SOUTIIEUN MIXD BFX'AMK PEKMEATED WITH 
DIST'NION SENTIMENTS. 



(INTENDED AS CHAl'TEK 1. OF A CONTEMPLATED WORK, TO 
BE entitled: "the campaigns OF the GREAT AMERI- 
CAN WAR,'' TO SUPPRESS THE SLAVEHOLDERS' REBEL- 
LION, TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN CONJOINTLY BY BREVET 
MAJOR-GENERAL J. WATTS DE PEYSTER AND JOSEPH B. 
LYMAN. Er^Q.J 

The whirlwind of war that for fonr years has been 
careering over the fa<'e of the land has at last died 
away and sunk to peaceful silenc- on the far-ofi savannas 
of Texas. The streams that have divided great hosts 
of lighting men, and sometimes been dyed with the 
lil(X)d of the combatants, from tiie Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, have ceased to be the objects of strategy, and 
are again devoted to the peaceful activities of com- 
merce. The long rows of polished bayonets that 
bristled along a hundred hillsides are replaced by 
rows of maize, that grows all the richer for the hu- 
man l)l()()d that has fertilized tlie soil. America turns 
iier amazing energies that have been so ccmspicuously 
displayed in war to the blessed labors of reconstruc- 
tion, the rearing again of the houses consumed hy 
invaders, the organization of newer and fairer forms 
of life and power out of the charred timbers and 
dilapidated walls that mark the ruin of W'bat is past. 

There remains for ua another great duty, that of 
studying this epoch of our history as we have studied 
no other in the tide of time, and deriving from it all 
the wisdom, all the instruction, all the valuable and 
salutar3'^ Ipssons for future guidance that can be learn- 
ed in the broad field wliere philosopliy teaches by 
example. Nor is our duty accomplished till fitting 
tribute is paid to the memory of the great multitude 
of the patriotic dead. Their dust is not to sleep in 
forgotten resting-places. The well-ordered and de- 
corated burial place, the towering granite, the deep- 
cut marble, the enduring bronze, will do all that mute 
things can do to perpetuate the memory of all who 
have fallen in the great wnr of freedom. 

From the obedient soldier who marched to certain 
death in the cross fires of the fatal batteries at Fred- 
ericksburg and Chancellorsvile, to the glorified dust of 
the Great IMartvr whose assassination crowned and 



7C 

completed tlie Iieroic work, closing the lonji'Siicriflces br 
the blood of the nobkst victim, the deeds of the whole 
host of laborers and of martyrs Jieed to be commemor- 
ated by the wlioJe power of monumental and historic 
eloquence. Forma mentis (Vtrruii. And he will con- 
tribute most to the histoiy of these times who shall 
show liow, in the decrees of Providence it was orden d 
that Slavery should perish by the sword which, in 
an hour of political madness, she drew upon the august 
image of Constitutional Liberty, ms seen in the Union 
of the American states : how it was permitted this 
institution to grow apace and rear her bronzed front 
in the eyes of the world a defiant relic of dead bar- 
barisms, till her assurance became the seal of her de- 
struction, and thn haughtiness of her step was seen to 
be the pride thatgoeth before destruction. 

Injustice to human nature, and to historic proba- 
bilit}^, wc should tra e, as we can, the causes which 
led to this political upheaval. Foreign nations and 
future ages will hardly see in the mere fact of the 
election to the Presidency of a candidate distasteful to 
the Southern people, a sufficient reason tor the prompt, 
united, deliberate and defiant revolt that ensued. 
Nobody contended that the Constitution had been 
violated in any important particular. The South had 
ever enjoyed an ample share of the executive patr(jn- 
age. Sons of her soil had lil ed the Presidential chair 
four-fifths of the time from the election of Washington 
to that of Lincoln. Free labor throughout the South 
was well rewarded. Their soil was fertile, t lien- 
climate genial, their taxes moderate, their rights, 
their immunities, and even their whims and prejudices 
liad been respected by every administration from 
1787 to 18G0 and yet, in ibe winter and spring of 
1861, eleven States, in well-studied concert and with 
singular unanimity, and often bv overwhelming ma- 
jorities, passed ordinances s parating them forever 
from all political connection with the government 
which had been the constant devotee of their inter- 
ests, their pride, and the bulwark of their glory. 

Madness and foliy seem to be sometimes inherent 
in a particular family and may be expected in most of 
their acts, and human nature may be so exasperated 
by generations of depotism and abuse that, when once 
the crust of the eartii above the heaving mass is 
l)roken, a deluge of lava may burst out and bury, in 
desolation and ashes, everything fair and lovel)" that 
grew above the volcanoes, as the world saw with 
amazement in the European earthquake seventj" 
years ago. 

But that an entire population should go crazy and 
commit acts that involved pt)litical suicide and the 
destruction of most of those blessings that make life 



• losirable, is so far an anomaly in human nature tliat 
some moie rational livpothesis than madness iss uglit 
h}- any thoughtful student of this epoch. Besides, 
oui- modern Romes are not built in a day, an}' more 
than the crowned city of the seven hills was built in 
that space oi time. Great results now. as they have 
ever been, are the culmination ol forces that have been 
in operation for generations of men Moi'ally speaking, 
the metal of that historic lirst gun at Sumter was 
moulded in the da; s of Queen Elizabcih, and the 
powder was mixed befiue Washington was in iiis 
honored grave, and it was planted and sighted not 
by a gasconading Louisiana Creole, but by the great- 
est master of metaphysics and poliiical sophistry the 
world ever saw, but who had been quietly reposing 
in the soil of the Carolina, that so loved and honored 
him, for ten years previous to the 12th of April, 1861. 
Immediately after the war of the Revolution there 
began to appear the germs of what we, of this genera- 
tion, see in full growth ami loaded with its noxious 
fruits. The essential tendency of the slave power 
and the slave iniluencc is to personal isolation and 
polTtical disintegration. It was so in Jewish and 
Greek and Roman slavery, and our American slavery 
furnishes no exception to the rule. He who com- 
mands the services of others by the simple right of 
might, is in a way to emancipate himself from all ne- 
cessity to concili.-ite the good will of others or secure 
their social co-operation. In democratic communities, 
generall}'. every man is under the necessity of winning 
the kind feelings of his neighbors by reciprocal acts 
of kindness, and gaining by association the necessary 
strength to accomplish what he cannot do by his un- 
aided labor or skill. The Pennsylvania farmer who 
needs the strength of twenty men to raise the heavy 
limbers of his barn, invites his neighbors to come and 
lift with him, and holds himself in readiness to re- 
spond, at once, to a similar invitation from any of them. 
But th- Virginia planter needed no such gratuitous 
and reciprocal assistance. At the blast of his planta- 
ti(ni horn, he could summon frcmi the tobacco field 
twenty stout slaves, whose services were ab.'olutely 
his by the law of the land. A group of settlers in 
Ohio when they are touched with the importance of 
furnishing good schools for their children, n.ust meet, 
contrii.ute their money or their labor to the erection 
of a school house and the payment of a teach r's salary. 
The Mississippi planter, when he wanted his children 
educated, could order his colored carpenter to build a 
suitable house, and employ some e''ucated person as 
a family teacher, without once seeking nr needing a 
word of advice or any act of co-operation from any 



78 

of the neighboring aristocrats. The unit of Soutliern 
society was the petty hut independent despot, and 
the fiist combination, and in fact the (^nl}' combina- 
tion natural in such civilzation, was ingroups of petty 
despots, each supreme in his sphere, but independent 
of each other, under no necessity of mutual concession, 
mutual forbearance, or mutual aid. As a necessary con- 
sequence, associations of all kinds always languished 
and drifted toward dissolution under tliat exploded 
S3'stem. In that first representation of associated 
labor, 'he common road, this was painfully apparent, 
and the surprised traveler saw the first great incon- 
gruity in the narrow, Ufgiected, and circuitous wagon- 
road that was the only means of coninuinication be- 
tween princely landed estates. Common schools 
never flourished south of the Potomac. Tlieir colleges 
were the nbodes of literary indolence ur the haunts 
of youthful debauchery. Assoiiations for the dissem- 
ination of useful knowledge were hardly known, and 
the voice of the lecturer was mute. The concert and 
the theatre were theonly successful social institutions j 
for these are mainly supported by the crowd of pleas- 
ure-seekers who are above the useful necessity of 
pleasant exertion. 

When the Constitution of 1787, the great charter 
of our liberties, that has come out bright with new 
glory from the baptism of blood, was first propounded 
to the States south of the Potomac, how was it re- 
ceived? South Carolina fought it with her whole 
vigor, and in the General /Assembly of Virginia, that 
great and eloquent voice which, thirteen jears 
before, had raised the heroic battle-shout of the war 
of Independence, was now, and for the last time on 
earth, raised in protest against Unionism. 

" When I observe," said P.atkick llEMiY, "that the 
war-making power and the nione3'-making power are, 
by this Constitutiun, tnonopolized by the Federal 
Government, 1 see no foothold left for State sovereign- 
ty to rest upon, and I tremble for the liberty of Vir- 
ginia."' And John Randolpii, who was then the 
young and ardent champion of the Constitution, and 
secured its ratification despite the powerful opposi- 
tion of Patrick Heniiv, became, under the disinte- 
grating effects of that society, so thoroughly a state- 
rights man that he ever placed Ins State above his 
nation, and esteemed it a greater honor to be a Vir- 
ginian than to be an American Was it strange, then, 
that the famous resolutions of Virginia and Kentucky 
of 1799, the jNIagna Charta of Secession, were adopted 
and given to the world as the first deliberate, formal 
and well-pronounced utterances of the disintegrating 
spirit. 

Thus cotemporaneous with our Constitutional birth 



79 

as !i nation, ami advancing-, j:)flr/7'j)ass», with American 
greatness, wo lind this conception of the nation as no 
more than a compact between independent, irrespon- 
sible and sovereign Stites ; this advocacy ol the right 
of a State to challenge, adjudicate upon, and deliber- 
ately disobey a Federal law whjch was deemed 
obnoxious to her local interests, was ever a Southern 
doctrine, emanating from the bosom of those disinte- 
grating social tendencies that are inherent in the 
relation of master and slave. 

From the death of Washington till the presidency 
of Jackson, an interval of nearly thirty years, the 
ruinous dogma slejit on the shelf where the almost 
forgotten Virginia resolutions were gathering dust. 
Meantime the commercial and manufacturing interests 
of the Northern communities were constantly on the 
increase, and with the far-sighted sagacity of a traffic 
that had whitened every ocean with our sails, the 
commercial cities were asking Congress for a species 
of legislation that would at once stimulate these vast 
activities to fresh enterprises and place them on a 
secure foundation in national law. Against ttiis leg- 
islation the South, that had but her one interest of 
agriculture to i'oster, and that was now fast becoming 
jealoOs of the rapid increase of Northern power, took 
a position of firm and almost rebellious opposition. 
Tlie community where this antagonism was most 
active was t e Southern city that had for a time hoped 
ti> rival New York as an emporium of trade, and 
Charleston found ^^i champion in national debate, the 
most subtle and powerful reasoner from given prem- 
ises, right or wrong, that the Senate of the United 
States ever saw, in the p rson of Johk C. Calhoun. 

The doctrine then invoked, for commercial reasons 
only, was vigorously discussed and its fallacy thorough- 
ly exposed in those famous debatus of 1831 in which 
selected champions of both constructions of the Con- 
stitution met in the Senate of the nation and the 
Southern combatant was thoroughly worsted and 
unhorsed. Four years later, in 1835, arose the tirst 
agitation on slaver}-, and then were coupled for the 
lirst t me those famous dogmas of which the scenes of 
tlie past four years have been but the bloody acting 
out. They appear in the elaborate and able report 
drawn up by Mr. Calhoun on the right of Congress 
to prevent by law the circulation of abolition prints 
or books through the Southern States. lie there 
lays down these principles, which, from that time on, 
were the accepted principles of Southern politicians, 
which they steadily advocated and defended by all 
the power of words, and for which, twenty-six years 
after tiieir enunciation, they drew the sword in delib- 
erate revolt: 



so 

1. Tliat Amorican slavery noeiled no apology on 
moral grounds: that it is a relation right, just and 
admirable in itself, a source of great mutual benefit 
to bo'h master and slave, and its abolition would be 
the greatest social disaster to both. 

2. That when antagonism to this institution, on 
the part of those who felt themselves called upon to 
protest against and oppose it. reached a point where 
any material interest of slavery was endangered, the 
remedy of the ,*outh was towithdraw fro<, the Union ; 
and the defence of such withdrawal was found in the 
doctrine of State Rights, which leaves with the sepa- 
rate States the right of saying whet])er the Federal 
Union was any longer conducive to their best interests. 

These d.octrines, issued with audacity, clearness and 
ability, by Mr. Calhoun, were the maximsof Southern 
logic and the rallying points of slaverv from 1835 till 
1861, when they became her battle-cry. 

But simultaneously with this revival of the secession 
dogma of 1709 and the change of base on the part of 
Southern Congressmen and the Southern press as to the 
propriety of apologizing for their institution, another 
material circumstance needs to be borne in mind. 
During the first quarter of this century American 
slavery had advanced from being a souice of doubtful 
pecuniaiy advantage to be regarded throughout the 
South as the easiest and surest road to wealth and all 
the aggrandizement that ever goes with ample fortune 
Just as western emigration was opening the nieUow 
and loamy uplands and the ineshaustibie alluvions of 
the southwest to agriculture, the invention of the 
cotton-gin at once raised cotton-growing from the 
productions of a modicum for household consuni[ition 
to the planting and gathering of a great expt)rting 
staple. 

Until the development of the cotton interest, agri- 
culture at the South was essentially /orrm/^.i^; but 
after the staple assumed a position of control the sys- 
tem was changed, fanning was abandoned i\ml plan tin (y 
became the one busiuess^which monopdjized all the 
capital, subsidized all the science, and bounded all 
the worldly ambition of the Southerner. The produc- 
tion of cotton demands but little skill and but litt'e 
heavy or exhausting labor. But it requires a persist- 
ent and unremitting industry, from New Year's day 
until Cliristnias ; an industry which is monotonous 
and uninteresting and requiring constant exposure to 
the burning of a semi-tropical sun. 

For these reasons it soon grew to be a conviction 
on the part of the planter that the conditions essci- 
tial for the production of cotton are compulsorj' labor 
on the supposition that free labor will nt-ver bend to 
the galling yoke of an industry so monotonous; that 



81 

sui;li cuuiimlsor}' l.abor must be enforced upon a trop- 
ical race whose skin had been, by original creation or 
from centuries of eqiiatonal life, fitted to resist the 
effects of great and continued heat. 

In connection with these opinions aiid circumstances 
is to be mentioned the fact, that England had found in 
the great expansion of her manufacturing interest a 
safe inve-tment for her surplus capital and safe occu- 
pation for her large surplus population, and was pre- 
pared to bu}' at handsome pi'ices all the cotton, that 
enforced industry, on a virgin soil could produce. 
Thus wdl be seen the stilts upon which Southern 
pride Wris lifted up until this accidental, and, i.s it 
were, mechanical elevation was, b}- lier, mistaken lor 
colossal superiorit}'. 

The planter was inflate ' first by the possession of 
a Lirge landed estate. From his veranda his eye 
could sweep over several hundred and often over sev- 
eral thousand acres to which his title was absolute 
and indefeasible ; and one-half or two-thirds of the 
area, thus gratifying his love o'' possession, was cover- 
ed with a crop either growing o' being gathered, the 
proceeds of which were certain to fill his pockets 
with glittering crown pieces from the vaults of the 
Bank of England. Those fields were tilled and all 
the offices of bis househobl were performed by ser- 
vants whom tlie law of his State made his property; 
whose services he could alwa3S co.npel ; whose n.isde- 
meanors he had full p 'Wer to punish, even to the 
e.Ktent of death, where the offence committed was 
against society as well as against plantation rules. 
He was under the necessity of performing no physical 
labor, and the care of ii s planting-estate gave him 
ample leisure for amusement, conversation, the rites 
of ho.-ipitalit\'- and the pleasures of the chase. Then, 
whenever his attention was arrested by the steady 
inroads that public opinion were making upon that 
form of society, and the f;;ct that slavery had already 
disappeared in all civilized countries, he looked to 
the doct ine of State Sovereignty, as propounded by 
the great South Carolinian, for his remedy, and flat- 
tered himself that whenever si verj' became unsafe 
and not fully protected and fortified by public law 
under the Constitution and in the Union, it coulc, at 
any time, be made absolutch secure and perpetual by 
going out from the Union and founding an oligarchy 
of the skin and of property in man. wi h chattel- 
slavery as its corner-stone and Leviticus for its New 
Testament. 

Thus it was, and by the dogmas and circumstances 
above described that the minds of planters were 
molded and prepared for the events of 18G1. A gen- 
eration had been educated in the belief that it was 



82 

not only right but a duty to conserve tlieir character- 
istic institution and that. when, by any means, slavery 
was at all endangered in the Union, the Southerner 
had a full right Ijy the tirst [)riMciples of American 
republicanism to retire from all pcjlitical connection 
with tlie non-slaveholding States and place slavery on 
a basis which could neve be threatened by the con- 
stantly swelling majorities of free hi' or. 

This sentiment, this conviction well instilled into 
the Southern mind and all that followed was easy. It 
onl^' remained to convince the South that the election 
which tiiok place in the Fall of 180O was an act of 
hostility to slavery sufficient to justify the long- 
meditated revolt. It was not urged that the election 
of Abraham Lincoi.n was in any respect conducted in 
an unconstitutional manner, or that he was nut fairly 
chosen by a decided electoral, tliouirh not a popular, 
majority. The principal upon which he went into the 
canvass and on whicii he was elected was only a polit- 
ical opinion, and eleven States declared that he should 
never be their President or President of the United 
States because of thar political opinion. 

He held that in the nature of things the system of 
compulsor3' labor and the law giving property in man 
are unjust in themselves and can have no sanction in 
the general principle of jurisprudence, but rest wholly 
on the provisions of special and local law ; that in re- 
spect to the unsettled territories, the Constitution 
ought to b-- so construed as to consecrate them 
forever to free labor, and leave them open for 
ihe immigration of white laborers who should 
own the soil they tilled, rather than to immigrants 
who sought to make property of both soil 
and its tiller : that while the Constitution does not 
interfere with the local law that sustains slavery in 
certain States, it can declare wheth^■r territories shall 
or shall not be slavehokling, and that wherever a 
doubt exists, a construction should be given favorable 
to freedom and progress, rather than a concession to 
an unfortunate relic of despotism left in the constitu- 
tion o* a democratic republic. In the canvass of 
1860, Mr- Lincoln had, moreover, expressed his con- 
viction that a natural and insurmountable an agonism 
*ix sts between the two systems of free and slave 
labor ; and that the nation would not long exist half 
slave and \\i\M tree, but would at some time, not far 
distant, become all one thing or all the other. 

The opinions of the candidate for whom most of the 
Southern votes were cast were understood to be that 
congressional discussions of the inherent right of 
slavery were unnecessary, ill-tnned and impolitic; 
that, as the Constitution guarantees security to 
slavery in neariy one-half of the States it ought to be 



83 

so construed as not to prevent the slaveholder from 
migrating with liis slaves to territories purchased by 
the tr asiire or won hj- the valor of citizens of all the 
States; that slavery ought to have an equal repre- 
sentation witli free laboi' in the Na'ional Congress, 
and in order to secure such equality no check ought 
to be imposed on the formation of slave States. 

The defeat of the candidate representing these ideas 
was understood by the South to be the exclu>ion of 
these principles from all future control in national 
coimcils. It was not said or believed that the suc- 
cessful candidate would, upon taking his oath of 
office, proceed at once to open a crusade U( on slavery 
as existing in the States. All that was feared, and 
all that was urged as ground for protest even to rev- 
olution and blood against the recognition of Lincoln 
by the South was, that by the principles announced 
in his canvass, he was pledged to oppose and veto the 
admission of any moie slaveholding States ; that he 
would favor the action of Ccmgress abolishing slavery 
in the District of Columbia, and that in case of a 
vacancy occurring on the bench of the Supreme Court, 
a man >»ould be appointed who would think with 
CtJRTissand with McLkan, rather than with Campbell 
and with Tanev, on the vexed question of the status 
of the African by general American law. In other 
Words, the South saw in the administration of Lincoln 
tiie settlement of three important issues, each adverse 
to slavery and tending to its extinction: no more 
clave States ; no more slavery on soil belong'ng to 
the National Government ; and no more Dred Scott 
decisions. 

One sentiment became almost universal in the 
slaveholding Sta'es as s(jon as the election of Lincoln 
was assured : that the South owed it to herself and 
her principles to accept a magistrate, if he wore ac- 
cepted at all, under protest, and to show by proofs 
unmistakable that each of tho«e points adverse 1o the 
South would be carried, if at all, only in the teeth of 
a fierce and unyielding opposition. It was, moreover, 
urged bv the orators in all the slave States that no 
man would be worthy of the respect or confidence of 
his fellow-citizens who would accept any appoint- 
ment, whatevi r, from the obnoxious magistrate, and 
that a Lincoln collector of customs or a Lincoln post- 
master would be liable to mob violence and death 
itself. In Soutli Carolina the teachings of their be- 
loved and admired statesman were recalled and his 
doctrines followed with unflinching logic to the des- 
perate extreme. "With one accord the leading men 
of that State believed that the crisis predicted by th^-ir 
greatest citizen, when all the advantages of the Fed- 
eral Union wou'd be outweighed by the danger to 



84 

slaverj' from the Federal Government had cume ; that, 
in their opinion, the great ends sought by tlie Union, 
so far as the South was concerned, could no longer be 
secured; that Unionism had been tried and iiadbeen 
lound insufncieni to protect Southern institutions, 
and was, therefore, dangerous and obno.xions to the 
South ; that American politics had become wholly 
sectional, and the weaker section was now at the 
mercy of a bold, triumphant and increas ng raajoritw 
It must be remembered, too, that aside from, yet 
springing out of this radical diff rence on the subject 
of the agitation of slavery, there had been growing 
for generations a personal antipathy between the 
citizens of the Northern and Southern States. There 
were difterencss in the form of worsh p, differences in 
social ideas and habits, differences in personal man- 
ners that divided the Southern planter from the mer- 
chant or artisan at the North by an interval almost 
as wide as that which separates Americans from the 
Edglish. In some States this antagonism was as 
ancient as the English revolution of 1(J44. Massachu- 
setts even then, though but an infant colony, was in 
hearty sympathy with the Puritans and their valiant 
leader ; while Virgii.ia, with her hereditar}' aristocra- 
cy, her large landed estates, and with the established 
Church of England for her religion, never lost her ad- 
miration for monarchy, nor ceased to sympathize with 
th'i sufferings of the dethroned and beheaded Chaki.ks. 
The social ideas in a country wheiv lands are <livided 
into tracts of a thousand acres eacli are nece>surially 
different from the institut ons and manners of com- 
munities where the average size of the farms is sixty 
acres. With her single and all-monopolizing interest 
of agriculture, hardly conceiving of a fortune that did 
not consist to a great extent in landed estate spend- 
ing lavishly the ample re urns of a virgin soil, and 
conscious of the ability to remove at any time from 
an exhausted to a fresh plantation, it was hardly to 
be expected that Virginia planters should admire or 
even respect the energy, the thiift, the rigid economy 
by which the Northern communities maintained 
themselves in comfort, notwithstanding the sterility 
of their soil and the severity of their climate. The 
Southern planter was naturally jealous of those com- 
mercial and manufacturing interests by which fortunes 
were accumulated beside which his possessions .-hrunk 
to a mere competency, and cities were built which 
fiir outshine anythiiiji that he could boast upon his 
soil. Whi c facts and figures convinced the planter 
that his section was numerically and in all the exter- 
nal signs of power the inferior of the free States, and 
while he admitted the intelligence and superior culture 
of the Yankee, he ever plumed himself on what he 



85 

considered bis superior qiuilities. Tiie liabit of coin- 
iiKuid which his institution had given him. and the 
shvvish deference and obedience of the subject race, 
ten ied to exag<i:erat(! this idea of liis personal import- 
ance ; and the promptness with which he was educated 
to resent even a trivial affront convinced him that m 
point of high-breedincr, gallantry and courage he was 
the superior of the Northei'u man. This, as can easily 
bo seen, had n double effect, in embittering the reflec- 
tion that he was politically overruled by the numer- 
ical superiority of those whom he regarded as singly 
his inferiors, and to make him look with complacency 
and personal confidence upon the likelihood of an 
armed collision with this same numerical and sectional 
majority. In brief, the most prominent feelings in 
the mind of the defeated champit)ns of national sla- 
very was that if the time had come when they 
could no longer contend with the North at the 
hustings there yi^t remained the wager of battle; and 
there was manifested a general wish to appeal from 
the contest by ballots to a contest with bullets. 

There was but one division of opinion among the 
influential planters of the Gulf States after ihe elec- 
tion of Mr. Lincoln, and that related not to tlu right 
or propriety of secession, but to the time and mode of 
taking the step. 

South Carolina, and with her all the radical men 
of the South and all the disciples of Oaltioun, held 
that the fact of his election was enough for them to 
know ; that no one act of his was likely to be so direct 
an attack on the Constitution as to form a basis for a 
bill of grievance that they could lay I)efore the world 
in justification of revolt. They contended, also, that 
the mere f\ict of h's election wholly by Northern 
voters and his representing ideas wholly sectional, and 
surrounding himself with men whose lives had been 
devoted to the business of abolishing slavery, was in 
itself an affront and an Indignitj- to the South which 
a proper sense of honor summoned her to resent by 
taking the po-ition of open defiance. 

Others were calmer and, doubtless, a little wiser. 
They were for waiting awhile for some flagrant and 
decisive attack upon the South ; for an overt act 
against which they could protest even to revolution ; 
and there were those, also, with an American instinct, 
who believed in Union, even in secession, and that all 
the aggrieved States should combine and concert a har- 
mtmious separation, a united-disunion. These, by a 
significant political -olecism called themselves co- 
operation disunionists. But in the secession conven- 
tions that assembled in the several Cotton States in 
the Winter and Spring of 1861 the co-operationists 
were overruled by the more fiery and radical element 



86 

from South Carolina, and all the oratory and the 
combined influence of the press and the pulpit was 
directed to the rash and suicidal policy of iuimediate 
secession. 

It is erroneoQs to suppose that secession was a trick 
practiced upon an ignorant and misguided populace 
by a clique of disappointed aspirants and ambitious 
dem.'igogues. Doubtless the secession leaders acted 
in concert and seized upon the election of a sectional 
President as a fitting occasion to fire the Suutherii 
heart. But they found it an easy task. Tiie i)repara- 
tory steps had been taken long before, Tiie material 
upon wiiich the in endiary orators operated was ir» 
tiie highest degree inflammable, and little skill was 
required to apply the torch. Cai.houn in ISSSbesrun 
the moven.ent that was completed in 18G1. For 
twenty-six years the poison of the arch-traitor had 
been working in the body politic, and though he had 
died in peace and was sleeping in a grave which the 
whole country honored, his doctrines have wrought i\ 
mischief which plunged the entire country into blood- 
shed and brought hopeless ruin upon the institutions 
to the support of whicli the whole of his long public 
lite was dedicated. 

He it was that resuscitated the dead corpse of Nulli- 
fication, breathing upon her the breath of metaphys- 
ical sophistry, gave her the more captivating name <ji' 
State Sovereiffnty. and recommended her as the guard- 
ian Genius of Slavery and the tutelary Goddess of tlie 
South. 

The revolt of the South was the movement of an 
oliga'chy embracing nearly all the education, all the 
popular talent, all the editorial ability in those States, 
and operating from above downward until nearly all 
the white population of the planting States and final- 
ly of the South generally Avere involved in the cur- 
rent and swept into the vortex. Secession was urged 
not merely as a right that might be expressed, but as 
a duty that ought to be discharged. Un the 29th of 
November, 1S60, it being a day of National Thanks 
giving, the most eloquent and highly gifted orator 
South of the Potomac, and pastor of tlie leading 
church in tiie Southern metropolis, ascended his pul- 
pt steps with a manuscript in his hind which did 
more than any one document, composed by any living 
man, to hurry the best classes of Southern society to snap 
the ties that had lield them iu tlie Union and plunge 
them into the cloudy abyss of civil war The scru- 
pulousness with which he had ever avoided the ming- 
ling of political discussions with theological orations 
or exhortations to personal virtue gave all the more 
weight and significance to this carefully elaborated 
address. 



87 

After an introduction in wiiich lie spoke of his pre- 
vious silence upon all questions of politics; of the 
nionicntious initure of the questions then agitating 
the public mind, and of the fact that he spoke as the 
representative of that larije class whose opinions in 
such a controversy are of cardinal importance ; the 
class which seeks to ascertain its duty in the light 
simply of conscience an<l religion, and which turns to 
tlie moralist and the Christian for support and guid- 
ance, declared that one distinguishing characteristic 
of the South as a people was that unto it in the Prov- 
idence of God had been committed the sacred trust 
of conserving and perpetuating the institution of slav- 
er}' as -then exiting. 

" Let us, my brethren,'' exclaimed the orator. " lift 
ourselves intelligently to the highest moral ground, 
and proclaim to all the world that we hold this trust 
from God, and in its o'^cupanc}' we are prepared to 
stand or fall as God may appoint Without deter- 
mining the duty of future generations, I simply say 
that lor us as now situated the duty is plain of con- 
serving and traiismitting the system of slaver}' with 
the freest scope for its natural development and ex- 
tension. As the critical moment has arrived at which 
the great issue is joined, let us say that in the light 
of all perils we will stand by our trust, and God be 
with the right." Farther to enforce this duty he de- 
clared it bound upon t' e Southern communities as 
the coi!>tituted guardians i)f tiie slaves themselves. 
'• That slaver}' was a blessing to the African, and their 
worst foes were those who intermeddled in their be- 
half; that freedom would be their doom, and their 
residence here in the presence of the vigorous Anglo- 
Saxon race would be but the signal for their rapid 
extermination before they would had time to waste 
away through listlessness, 111th and vice." 

Furthermore, he urged this duty as imposed upon 
them Ijy the civilized vvorld ; that slavery, notwith- 
standing all the attacks upon it, had steadily increas- 
ed for thirty years, and had enlisted the mateiial 
interests of Euglind in its support; that the enrich- 
ing commerce which had reared the splendid cities 
and marble palaces of England as well as America, had 
been largely established upon the products of Southern 
soil ; and the blooms upon their fields gathered by 
black hands had fed the spindles and looms of Man- 
chester and Birmingham not less than of Lawrence 
and Lowell, and if a blow were to fiill on this system 
of labor the world would totter at the stioke. And, 
finally, he declared that in the great struggle the 
South were the defenders of God and religiou ; that 
the abolition spirit was but Jacobinism in anothtr 
form, and availing itself of the morbid and misdirected 



88 

sympathies of men, it liad entrapped \reak cemsciences 
in the meshes of its treachery, and now, at hist, had 
seated a high priest upon the throne clad in the bhick 
garments of discord and schism so symbolic of its ends. 
What does this declare, what can it decl re bit that 
from hencefor h this is to be a government of section 
over section ; a government using constitutional forms 
only to c^nlmrrass and divide the section ruled, and 
as a fortress through whose embrasures the cannon of 
legislation is to be employed in demolishing the guar- 
anteed institutions of the South. "I say it with 
solemnit}' and pain." cimtinued the orator, 'this 
Union ot our forefathers is already gone. It existed 
but in mutual confidence, the t onds of which were 
ruptured in the late election. For myself, I say, 
under the rule which threatens us, I tlirow oft" the 
yoke of this Union as readil}' as did our ancestors the 
yoke of King George III., and for causes immeasura- 
bl)' stronger than thos-^ pleaded in their celebrated 
declaration." After suggesting the various obj ctions 
then urged for quiet submission to the Presidentelect, 
and giving what seemed to his audience asatisfactorv 
refutation, the oration concluded with the following 
paragr .ph : ■' We may for a generation enjoy compra- 
ativc ease, gather up our feet in our beds and die m 
peace ; but our children will go forth beggared from 
the hoinus of their fathers. F shermen will cast their 
nets where your proud commercial navy now rides at 
anchor, and dry them upon the shore now covered 
with your bales of merchandize. Sapped, circumvent- 
ed, undermined, the institutions of your .soil will be 
overthrown, Mud within five and twcnt}' years the 
histo y of St. Domingo will be the record of Louisiana. 
If dead men's bones can tremble, ours will move under 
the muttered curs s of ^olls and daughters denounc- 
ing the blin<bies,s and love of ease which have left 
them an inheritanc- of woe. 

' I have done my duty under as deep a sense of 
r(!sponsibility to God and man as I have ever felt. 
Under a full conviction that the salvation of the 
whole count y is depending upon the action of the 
South, I am impelled to deepen the sentiment of re- 
sistance in the Southern mind, and to strengthen the 
current now liowing toward a union of the South in 
defence of her chartered rights. It is a duty I shall 
not be called upon to repeat, for such awful junctures 
do not occur twice in a centnrv. Before another po- 
litical C'.rthquake sli^U shake the continent I hope to 
be 'where the wicked cease from troubling and the 
weary are at rest.'" 

Probabl}' no discourse of these times had so great 
an effect upon those who heard it. or on the thousands 
and tens of thousands who read it in the numerous 



89 

and large editions that, were inimediatelv issued. A 
majority of Dr. PAi,MKR"scongreoation at once became 
secessionists The papers and pamphlets in which 
his views were published were scattered all over the 
s aveliolding States and were read, rr-read and passed 
from hand to hand and from family to family till in 
ma y cases the paper was so worn as to be barely 
legible. It was read to groups of eager listeners in 
the obscure grocery in the depths of the pine forests ; 
by the lordly planter amid the rich perfumes of his 
t>range groves or (jf his sugar-house ; in the temples 
de(iicated to religion, in the halls of legislation, and 
may be taken as the most glow'ing. the most emphatic 
and generally popular setting forth of the sentiment 
of the most cultivated and moral people in the South, 
that an}' public man has made. 

And Dr. Palmer was a disciple and admirer of Cal- 
houn, and his friend and cn-laborer in South Carolina, 
Rev. Dr. Thornwell, took ground precisely similar 
and counselled prompt secession for the protection of 
slavery, even though it launched the South upon a sea 
of blood. As with these leaders in the Presbyterian 
Church, so in the Episcopal, Methodist and Baptist. 
The ministers of Christ were all clamorous for war. 
Petek did not draw his sword with more zeal to smite 
the capt r of our Savior, than they counselled war, and 
in many cases, entered the military service to tight 
for the perpetuation of slavery ; and the ground univers- 
ally taken was that so clearly stated by Dr. Palmer, 
that the South was the Heaven-appointed guardian 
of slavery, and it was their sacred duty to see that 
the institution suffered no harm nor submitted to any 
threat of attack from the numerically superior North. 

Thus will be seen the degree to which the virus of 
South Carolina doctrine had inoculated all the influ- 
ential and cultivated class of Southerners. A gener- 
ation had been ediicated into the conviction that the 
preservation of slavery was a matter of more import- 
ance than the preservation of the Union. 

Loyalty and devotion to the Union had for a gener- 
ation been growing less in the Southern heart, and 
could hardly be said to have existed in 1861. The 
planter was loyal to slavery and determined to pre- 
serve and extend it at all hazards, and this resolution 
was paramount to an}' sentiment of Unionism, any 
love of the whole country. With him the Union was 
an equivocal ble-sing, good, indeed, if it left him and 
would leave his children in full and perpetual enjoy- 
ment of slavery and the right of extending its area 
equally with the extending area of free labor, but 
when it failed of that, to be cast aside as a forgotten 
garment or left to be consumed in the fire of a gen- 
eral revolution. 



90 

In the chapter which succeeds, there are detailed the 
political manoeuvers by which secession became an 
accomplished fact. But every attentive student of 
American history must see that the elemtnts of the 
storm had long been in ferment, and an instrument 
far less potent than Prospero's wand would be able 
at any time to unchain the powers of the air and put 
the wild waters in a roar. 

For more than a generation agencies. h^d been quiet- 
ly but actively at work which culminated in a violent 
and bloody civil war, raging, for four years, over 
thousands of square miles, destroying half a million of 
lives and thousands of millions of property ; yet aris- 
ing, apparently, from no circumstances more exasper- 
ating than the election by legal voters and through 
constitutional forms of a President distasteful to tiie 
States lying South of the Potomac. 

The disintegrating and centrifugal tendency of 
Southern institutions ; the slow and reluctant adhe- 
sion of several of the Southern States to the Federal 
Union ; the doctrine of State Sovereignty first pro- 
pounded bj' the States of Virginia and "Kentucky, 
revived by South Caiolina ; first to enforce the doctrine 
of local free trade in the teeth of a national tariff ; and 
again, as a refuge and remedy for anti-slavery agitation, 
and for that purpose recommended and enforced 
by the deepest thinkers and the most fiery orators 
of the South ; the ambition 'f Southern cities lioping 
to become inde|)endent of Northern ports of entry ; 
and the doctrine widely dissemin..ted by the whole 
Southern pulpit that the perpetuation of slavery was 
a great moral trust committed by God to the slave- 
holding States, these were the facts, the doctrines, 
the influences by the action of which the Southern 
mind became ripe for revolt. 



COLONEL CHARLES E. LIVINGSTON. 



Note 2 to Pare 16. Foot Note ]\. 7th Line 



Having applied to parties who were supposed to be 
cognizant of the military service of Colonel Chaki.es 
E. Livingston, without receiving the desired infor- 
mation, I am compelled to rely upon the reminiscences 
of one of his former associates in command. He is 
stated to have been a pupil of the United States 
West Point Military Academy, but was forced to re- 
linquish his studies, there, in consequence of ill health. 
When Colonel W. P. W. assumed command of the 
Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, Colonel C. E. L. 
was its Major. The latter acted lor some time as 
commandant of the city of Fredericksburg, arid is said 



91 

to be handsomely mentioned in Captain Noyes' 
"Bivouac and Battlefield." Subsequently he was 
attached to the staff of Major-General DouBLEnAY. 
At the two battles of Gaincsvilh'. nnd Bull Run 
Second, he was serving with his regiment and his 
colonel had occasion, each time, to speak of his cour- 
age and good conduct. At Gmnesi-ille he was of the 
greatest assi.^tance in encouragina: the men and main- 
taining the line under a very hot fire — a fire so severe 
that the Seventy-sixth lost one-third of its men in 
line. Upon this occasion his behavior could not 
have been better. At BuU Run. Second, he was also 
most efficient. Colonel L. was captured in this fight, 
as was reported, through his horse rearing and falling 
upon him. Tn several other battles he was on General 
Doubleday's stafi", and until the time Colonel W. 
resigned the command of the Seventy-sixth, after 
ChanceUorsviUe (\n consequence of severe sickness in- 
curred in service, from which he has not yet entirely 
recovered), excepting when Colonel W. was on sick 
leave from middle of September to beginning of No- 
vember, 18G2, during which period also, Colonel L. com- 
manded the Seventy-sixth X. Y. He was also in com- 
n.andbefore Petrrslmrg. Cobmol L. suffered a great 
deal from ill health, but on the battlefield his conduct 
was unexceptionable. Further particulars of the 
services of Colonel L. will appear in tlie ''History of 
the Seventy-sixth N. Y. V.," by Captain A. P. Smith, 
of Cortland Village, which ought to issue from the 
press in a short time. 



Note 3 to Paragraph 2, Page 20 29th N. Y. V. 



Lieutenant Henry Livingston Rogers, grandson of 
Hon. John Swift Livingston, of Tivoli, was born in 
the city of New York, but brought up in his grand- 
fivther's house, and consequently may be claimed as 
another representative of Red Hook. He went out 
early in 1861. as Quartermaster of the Twenty-ninth 
New York Volunteers, and throughout his service 
proved himself a very efficient officer. When his 
Colonel. VON Steinwehr, became acting Brigadier- 
General, Lieutenant Rogers continued with him and 
acted with equal energ}' as brigade quartermaster 
proving himself under all circumstances, not only 
brave but energetic and reliable. His mother, Mrs. 
Rogers, presented a beautiful silk. National (U. S.) 
Hag to the Twenty-ninth New York Volunteers, 
before it left New York, which flag is now deposited 
in the Tro])iiy Hall of tlie Bureau of Military Statistics 
at Albaiiv. 



92 
Norr. 4 to Pace 22, I 3d. 20 N. Y. S. M. 



Immediately after the news of tlie tiring upon Furt 
Sumter, and responsive to President Lincoln's call 
for 75,000 Volunteers, tiiis regiment offered its 
services. Althongli at once detailed, some delay oc- 
curred before it was accepted. From Kingstcjn it 
proceeded to Annapolis, thence to Annapolis Junction, 
Haltimore, etc. It lay in camp, for the greater part 
of the time, to tlie right or the South and East of the 
Baltinu)re and Washington Railroad, guarding the 
same and coterminous districts. As repre>entatives 
of this company district (formerly Twenty -second, 
now Twenty-first Regiment. Ninth Brigade, Third 
Division N. Y. S. M.) there were a number of men 
from the Upper District of Red II(/ok, of whom the 
following have been reported : 

Andrew Decker. — He eidisted three consecutive 
times and served honestly and faithfully until killed 
under Sheridan at Cedar Creek, in the Shenandoah 
Valley, 19th October, 18G4, either in the Sixth New 
York Cavalry, or, as some say, the Fifty-si.xth New 
York Infantry or the First New York Chasseurs. 

Charles Decker. 

Montgomery Marshall. — Returned home broken 
down in health. 

Adam Moork. 

Edward Snyder. — Afterwards deserted. 
■ Charles Statley. — He enlisted three consecutive 
timess and came home Orderl}^ Sergeant. 

Wm. H. Stocking. — Served honestly and faithfully 
three enlistments ; at Gettysburg he was shot through 
the leg above the ankle, so bad a wound he was olf r- 
ed his discharge, but refused it. He was in swimming- 
at City Point when the fiimous explosion t ok place in 
June, 1864, and although 5 were killed and 17 were 
wounded in the detachment of his own regiment 
stationed there, and an immense destruction occurred, 
he escaped without the slightest injury 

In the Fall of 18G1 the Ulster County Guard again 
took the field as a regular United States Volunteer 
R giment, and was known as the Eightieth New 
York Volunteers. 

For details of the services of this regiment see Ap- 
pendix, page i. to liv. 

There were twenty-five men from the Upper Dis- 
trict of Red Hook in Company B. Their names were 
as follows: 

1. Wansbrough Blo.vham. — Shot through the arm 
in carrying the colors at Gettysliurg. 

2. John Decker. — Shot by accident at Upton Hill, 
opposite Washinditon, died 21st March, 1862, brought 
home and buried at the Old Red Church, northeaftt 



93 . 

of Marlalin. See pa?,es 0S-G9. 

?,. Oswald Decker.— Wounded witli a buckshot 
in the breast at Manassas or Bull Run, Second, where 
Colonel Pratt was likewise mortally wounded by a 
bucksjiot which lodged in his spinal n\arrow, from 
whicli he died in a few days. 

4 MoRi-.AN Denegar. 

5. Charles Garrison. 

6. Theodore Garrison.— Shot through flesh of 
thigh at IManassas or Bull R 'n. Second. 

7. Christian Grintler, Senior. — Discharged and 
died of dropsy, brought on by effects of severe service, 
after his return home. See page 70. 

8 Christian Gruntler. Jr. — Died of wounds re- 
ceived at Manassas or Bull Run, Second. See page 70. 

9. John IIatton. See page 55. 

10. Wm. it. Hoffman. 

11 Geo W. Kellv. — Killed at Manassas or Bull 
Run Second. 

12. Alfred Lasher (son of Widow Sarah Lasher). 
— Killed at Manassas or Bull Run, Second. 

13. Pfter W. Lasher. 

14. Robert McCarrick. 

15. Charles Macniff. — Twice wounded, slightly 
in the arm under Buknside at Fredericksburg First, 
and above the forehead at Gettysburg. This brave 
soldier was finally appointed Sergeant and detailed 
for Ambulance service at headquarters. 

16 James or Jacob Minklei:. 

17. Adam Moore. — Twice severely wounded and 
then injured in a blow or tornado at Point Lookout. 

18. Frederic Overmier (Sergeant).— Twice wound- 
ed slightly in the breast at Manassas or Second Bull 
Run, 30th August, 1862, the bullet lodging in a testa- 
ment in his pocket, and in the foot at Gettysburg. 

19. David A. Paulmatier. 

20. Lewis Redder. — Killed at Manassas or Bull 
Run Second, 30th August, 1862 

Hiram Risedorf. —Died of typhus fever at Upton 
Hill, opposite Washington, and was buried at Falls 
Church, Va. See pages 61-62. 

22. Frederic Simmons. 

23. John H. Swartz. 

24. Rttffs Warringer. — Killed at Antietam. 17th 
September, 1862, by a Minie ball through the bowels. 

25. David Wool (colored). 

In Company A, which was entirely composed of 
Duchess County men, there were several, perhaps 
quite a number, from the Lower District of Red Hook. 
Their names have never been furnished to the writer, 
nor has he any means of ascertaining them. 

From the Upper District there were two brothers : 

26. Marcellus Stocking. See page 55. 

27. Wm. H. Stocking. 



94 

It is said there were no other Red Hook men in 
any other companies than A and B in this reG;iment. 

After Gettysburg, this regiment, which went out 
about 1,000 strong — it brought home only 150 men — 
on'y 00 men could be brought into line of battle. Tn 
the three days fight it did magnificently and suffered 
severely, having 34 killed and 110 wounded. During 
this battle, at one time, Colonel Gates himself carried 
the colors while mounted and under fire. Wm. II. 
Stocking says that he counted the marks of IC gun- 
shot wounds in the co'onel's horse, and yet the animal 
survived to come home. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 

Note 5 to Page 25. — Derived from Corresvondkxce 
WITH Ma.ior- General S. W. Craavfokd. 

Third Division, Fifth Corps (Crawford's). 

In the general march of the Army of the Potomac, 
northward, ray division passed through Hanover on 
the night of the 1st of July. I marched all night and 
just before morning halted at a little town" called 
Brnshtoicn to rest. Tlie men lay down in the road. 
It was not yet day wlien an aide of General Sykes, 
who commanded the Fifth Ct>rps, came to me with 
orders to ])ush on, at once, without letting the men 
have coftee. I moved as soon as we could dis- 
tinguish the road, but was soon oltliged to halt and 
give the road to Gregg's cavalry, who were going to 
the froi.t. In my rear was 8f.dgwick with the Sixth 
Corps. I pushed on after the cavalry to Bonaugh- 
toicn, sending my ammunition train to the left, at the 
edge of the town, with orders to strike the Baltimore 
turnpike. I marched on to the middle of the town, 
and striking a road, to the left, crossed to the turnpike, 
and aftei- a short march crossed Boclc CreeTc, turned 
in to the left, in rear of Wolfs Bill, and halted. It 
was not yet noon, and my nren enjoyed several hours 
of much-needed rest. 

Meantime a staff officer from General Sykes (^aine 
to me to learn the situation of the division, and stated 
that a staff" officer would report to me at 3 o'clock 
to conduct me to my posiiion on the field. 

About o\ a staff officer from General Sykes (Lieu- 
tenj^'j,; Ingham) came tt) me with orders for nie to 
march to the hattlefield, following the Second Divi.sioii 
of my corps. He had no orders to conduct me i i 
person. The Second Division lay in my front among 
the rocks and ravines of Wolfs Hill. I had recon- 
noitered the position and had found a by-road leading 
around the left of Wolfs Hill. It led through the 



95 

woods and struck the road alonjT vvliicli the Second 
Division was marching!:. When the head of iny col- 
umn struck the road I halted to allow the Second 
Division to pass. Before it could pass, it halted, 
faced about, and returned ; its new route leading away 
from the field. I could get no infoimation, but, dis- 
patching a statf officer to General Sykes, I awaited 
his return. 

About a mile in my front and to the southwest the 
battle was raging fiercely, and in a few moments, a staif 
officer, named Captain Moore, came to me in a state 
of great excitement and begged me to go at once to 
'•those hills," as the enemy had driven our men back 
and were trying to get the hills and if they did, the 
Army could not hold its position. He said he was an 
aide of General Meade's, as I understood him, and 
that General Sickles had directed him to get any as- 
sistance he could, and to order any command there he 
could find. The following colloquy then took place: 

General Cuawfokd — ^''1 am perfectly willing to go 
with you at once if you c in give me the proper 
oiders. I have heanl the firing, and am anxious to 
get to tlie field. If you are an aide of General Meade 
you can give me liis order." 

He tlien interrupted me — "lam not an aide of 
General Meade but of General Sickles, and he ordered 
me U) tike any command I foun<l." 

General C. — '"I cannot take orders from General 
Sickles. You must go to General Stkes, who has 
already ordered me to join him on the field — or if 
you can find any general officer commanding here 
who will give me orders, and I believe General 
Slocum is near, and will say to him that I think I 
should go at once to that point, I will accompany 
you." 

Captain Moore galloped down the road to General 
Slocum's headquarters at Wolf Hill on the right of 
our line, saw him, and returned with the order to me, 
and I moved at once across the fields and by cross 
roads toward the Round Tops. We pushed, on and 
in passing through a piece of woods not far from the 
Taneytown road 1 met a large company of officers 
and men coming back with a wounded general. As 
my march was impeded, I rode forward, and in di- 
recting them to turn otf the road until ray command 
passed, I asked why so large a number of men were 
going to the rear with one wounded officer. An officer 
replied it was General Sickles, and that he had lost a 
leg. I asked if General S. had directed so large a 
party to accompany him, and was told he had. I pass- 
ed on, crossed the Taneytown road, on a cross road 
leading into the Eramettsburg road, at a peach orchard. 



This road led ulong tlie riLclit of Little Round Top 
across a ravine, deep and wide, traversed by a marsliy 
ran and through a wlieat field, gradually risinsi, skirt- 
ed by a stone wall toward the ravine, and boundeil 
on the right and left by open woocN. 

Shortly aft^er cossing the Taneyfown roail. I rode 
forward, and turning into a field on the right met 
General Sykes, who complimented me for iirriving so 
promptly on the field (I had arrived at the same time 
with the Second Division), and who directed me to 
mass my division in that field and await orders from 
him. I had not massed one brigade, when I received 
orders to cross the road, form in line of b ittle and !>« 
prepared to support the troops figliting in front, in 
case they were compelled to fall back. I made the 
movement at once, but it wa>* not completed, and my 
rear brigade was marching into position, when I again 
received orders from General Sykes to send a brigade 
to the support of General Barxes (as the staff officer 
stated), who had been fighting on my immediate left, 
in the gorge between the Sound tops. This order 
was very unnecessary. Vincext's brig.ide had already 
repulsed the attack and he had h)st liis life. General 
Rice was commanding. General Bakxes wdio was 
temporarily commanding Griffix's Division (First of 
Fifth Corps) was not on tliat part of the held. I sent 
Colonel Fisher, commanding my Third Brigade, to 
Rice's su])port. Before he could move out, the tiring in 
front becatne more and more continuous and iletermin- 
ed, as well as closer. The enemy were ad- 

vancing rapidly. He liad broken Sickles at the 
Peach Orchard, and was advancing directly on 
the right Hanks of the brigades to the right 
of the cross road above spoken of, and driv- 
ing them in, with great loss. Zook, Brooks, and 
finally Ayres, with his division of Regulars, all were 
retreatinir. The space in my fron'. the ravine and the 
woods were filled witti fugitives. Seeing the condition 
of things I sent Captain Louis Livixgstox, one of my 
aides, to General Sykes, reporting tliat our men were 
all breaking, and asking him for orders. He brought 
me a message from General S. to the effect that '' Gen- 
eral Crawford was on the gr"und, and must judge 
what to do for himself." My command was drawn 
up on tlie slope of Little Round Top, and was .about 
half \ray between the cross road and the crest. 
Wheaton's Brigade (Sixth Corps) had come up, and 
was drawn up nearly in prolongation of ray line, 
crossing the cross road to the right. Meantime Ayres 
had crossed my front in retreat, and the enemy had 
followed him, (Iriviug the troops in his front, down 
through the woods and wheat field to the stone v\'all. 



97 

Here the enemy re arranged his line, crossed the stone 
wall, and was coining in line of battle across the 
ri'vine, toward the Round Tops. Riding in front of 
my line, I ordered a forward movement, directing 
Captain Livingston and Captain Ai-ciimltty to assist 
me in leading on the men. The entire command 
moved at once. I found myself in the front line and 
lit-side the colors of the First Penusyhania Reserves. 
Captain, now Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, Livingston, 
was on one side of Uie, and Captain, now Brevet 
Lientenant-Colonel, AuciiMfTY, ray Acting Adjutant- 
General, on the other, hoth engaged in animating the 
m.-u. The color sergeant of the First Regiment had 
heen shot in the hand, and the colors were being car- 
ried by a corporal (Swope). I leaned over, and seizing 
the tlag, lifted it above and called '" Forward Reserves! " 
and away wt- went down the slope, across the small 
branch and on toward the stone wall. Between the 
SI one wall and the branch, we met the enemy's skir- 
mishers, drove them bac/k with a run on their line of 
battle, which we encountered just in rear. My whole 
line opened on ir, with great enthusiasm and shouting. 
Recrossing the stone wal', the enemy endeavored to 
resisr our approach, but on we went, when the enemy 
hastily retreated, leaving a stand of colors and many 
prisoners in our hands. In crossing the stone wall 
Colonel Taylor of the Penn.sylvania Rifles {Buck- 
tails) was killed .at the head of his reginjent, 
shot through the heart. We had crossed into the 
wlieat tield, when finding myself without support, 
und the enemy holding a ridge in my front as well as 
the woods on my lett, I refused my left and establish- 
e ' my entire command behind the st ne wall, skirting 
the woods. General Sykes having declined to send 
me support, my left was thrown along HoucTcs Hill. 
My skirmisiiers were thrown forward int(j the wheat 
lield, but a severe tire was kept up on their left flank, 
and in visiting the skirmish line at midnight, crawling 
carefully out to it with Captain AucHMrTY, I found 
it within pistol shot of the enemy, who had establish- 
ed himself in front, on a ridge beyond, and who en- 
flladed my skirmish line from the left. Seeing this. I 
directed the brigade commander to draw his skirmish- 
ers closer and consolidate his comm .nd behind the 
stone wall. At daylight the enemy seeing my posi- 
tion opened with musketry, but tailed to make any 
impression. Bautlett's Brigade or Division of the 
Sixih Corps was now moved up to my right and 
rear toward Trostle's house. 

When General Mrade had the disaster of Sickles 
reported to him, he directed Williams' Division of 
Twelfh Corps (Slooum) from the extreme right, with 



98 

some troops from the First Corps (Newton, centre) 
U) proceed at once to the Sound Tops, whicli were 
reported lost, and to retake the ground. Tliey were 
met with the report that we had ah-eady driven 
back the enemy, and they were ordered back to tlieir 
own works, into which Early's troops had pene- 
trated on Culp^s Hill. 

Meantime Fisher had moved with his britrade to 
the left, crossing the top of Little Found Top in rear 
of the batteries (Weed) and joining Yin(^ent's Brig- 
ade, now Rice's. The enemy under Hoou had endeav- 
ored to penetrate the gorge between Sound Top and 
Little Round Top. Hood's Division was on the ex- 
treme right of the Rebel line, and tliis artack was 
part of the general movement in following up the 
attack on Sickles. Hood was repnlsed, and Fishek 
arrived with my Third Brigade jnst after the enemy had 
fallen back. We did not, at that moment, hoXARovndTop 
propter. Tbe troops under Fisher and Rice faced tow- 
ard it. About dusk an aide-de-camp from Colonel 
Fisher came to me with a report from tlie Colonel 
that the enemy were on Round Top, and asking 
permission to take it. I rode to the spot and me 
Colonel Fisher and gave him the order in person to 
take the hill. He and Rice moved up the hill in line 
of battle; the Twentieth Maine being deployed as 
skirmishers in their front. A few shots were fired, 
and a few stragglers of the enemy taken prisoners. 
Heavy breastworks were thrown up from the top of 
Roitnd Top, down its slope and across the gorge tow- 
ard Little Round Top. 

Thus ended Thursday's light on the left. The Sixth 
Corps, under Sedgwick, had not participated, and 
were now massed in the rear of our left, now secure 
against attack. 

OBSERVATIONS. 

That the movement above described saved the 
Round Tops from seizure by the enemy, I have no 
doubt. Tliftt the enemy could and would have taken 
them is to me unquestionable, and because— 

1. They were the key of our position, and it was 
his second attack upon them, and once in his poset.- 
sion our trains and depots at Westminster,were exposed 
to capture, and we would have been oMiged to fall back. 

2. Because our own troops, on and about the Round 
Tops (we had none on Round Top proper), were 
shaken by the repulse, and were not in a condition to 
resist unless the Sixth Corps could have been made 
available, and, even then, the enemy would have been in 
possession of the ridges before it could have been sup- 
poreid. The artillerists on Little Round Tbphad given 



99 

up hope of saving their guns, and were about moving 
their horses to the rear when my movement was made. 

3. Night was so near th.it any repulse or disaster 
could not have been retrieved, and although we 
might have retaken tlie hill, it would have required 
daylight. 

4. The question is not one of infinite probabilities, 
but what force actually repulsed the enemy. This 
has been shown above. 

Friday, July 3. — .\fter Pickett's charge and attack 
and subsequent repulse. General Meade, with Weight, 
Sedgwick and others, came to Little Round Top. 
Straggling Rebels were seen going toward their lines, 
which, on their extreme right, were still held by Hood, 
whose troops held the wooils on my left flank, as well 
as HoucFs Hill in front of Round Top. His sharp- 
shooters were so annoying, that no one could show 
themselves near any of the rocks on Little Round Top, 
without drawing their tire. Seeing my command in 
position near the stone wall, General Meade MS^ed 
whose it was. General Sykes replied that it was Ceaw- 
ford's. General Meade then directed th.it I should 
take my command and ''clear those woods," pointing to 
the wjods opposite to the Round Tops. Said he, "I 
do not know what force you may find there, but if 
you tind they are too strong for you, you can come 
back.'' 1 joined the command and directed the move- 
ment. I moved the whole command to the right 
until ir was pari-allel to ihe cross road skirting the 
wheat field. The moment the movement was begun, 
the enemy opened from a battery on the ridge, throw- 
ing grape and cannister. Fortunately the woods 
screened my command from view, and, under their 
cover, I detached a regiment to move cautiously tow- 
ard the battery and tiirow forward skirmishers to 
control its fire, and if it should not be supported to 
charge upon it and take it. The regiment moved as di- 
rected, and after a few shots, the section,which was not 
su[)ported, limbered up and fled. I then directed the 
brigr.de commander (Colonel McCandless) to move 
forward in line of battle and clear the woods in his 
front. This order was sent by Captain Livingston, 
and in couveyinti it he had to pass over the most exposed 
part of the field. He conveyed it coolly amid the 
enemy's fire, and returned under the same fire to me. 
I did notexp3ct he would escape. When MoCandless 
moved I directed General Baetlett, who was order- 
ed to support me, to advance two of his regiments to 
the stone wall, and to hold the position, while another 
regiment was sent toward Trostle's House to relieve 
the regiment previously sent to silence the battery on 
the cr^'st. McCandless moved into the woods, but 
inclined too much to his right, when I sent a staff 



100 

officer to change his direction. This was done, and 
chana;ing front to rear, his men, with a k)ii(l shont, 
came upon tlie flank of a brigade of Hood's Division, 
who were entrenched in the woods on the left flank 
of my previous position and -At right angles to it. Afrer 
a snort fight the enemy retreated, tunning over one 
of his own brigades, vrho were massed in tlie rear of 
tiie command, entrenched in the woods. They Avere 
in a deep hollow, perfectly protected and were sup- 
l)lying the sharpshooters at work on IIouc¥s Hill. 
who were firing on the Round Tojjs. They ran with- 
out firing a shot, abandoning their arms, etc. Another 
brigade of Hood, under Bexxing. who weve further 
to the right, also hastily retreated. Hood's whoh- 
Division were by this movement surprised and driven 
from the field. The wtxids were cleared and tlie 
enemy retreated a mile distance, where lie strongly 
entrenched himself. 

Nearly 200 prisoners. 2 guns and 3 caissons, and 
over 7,000 stand ot arms were recovered by this 
movement. Many of these arms l)elonged to our own 
men, and the Rebels had piled them in huge lieaps, 
ready lo burn them. 

A question has arisen whether this was not the 
mome t to move with a large force, from our left, 
upon Lee's shaken forces. The Sixth Corps were 
fresh and we could have sent a large body, and Lse's 
extended lines were very thin. (See Hancock's testi- 
mony before the '" Committee on the Comliiet of the 
Warr) 

This closed my fighting at Gettysburg. On Sunday 
1 went out with the skirmish line and found the 
enemy had retreated before day. 

The conduct of Captain Livingston and of Captain 
AucHMUTY was highly creditable to them. The\ 
were untiring in their efforts, and did very much to 
contribute to the success of ray operations on l)oth 

Thursdav and Friday. 

*'* * * * *** 

In an interview with the Rebel General J. B. Hood, 
of the late Confederate Army, and his Adjutant-Gen- 
eral Colonel Selden, on December '2d 18G6, Major- 
General S. W. Crawfokd elicited the following facts 
in regard to the battle of Gettysburg. 

Hood said he had early perceived the importance of 
the Round Tops, and had urged an attack upon the 
Union flank from the Rebel right; their forces to be 
massea in the plain. South of the Ronnd Tops, on 
Thursday, July 2d, 1863. General Longstkeet, how- 
ever, his corps commander, would not assume the re- 
sponsibility. Thiswas early on Thursday. Again, 
after Hood was wounded in the general attack on 
Sickles, Colonel Selden urged General Law (who 
commanded Hood's Division, after Hood was wounded) 



101 

to push on to the Round Top, after McLaws' attack, 
but he, likewise, would not take the responsibility. 
He was afterwards reproved by Longsteeet, who 
was entirely convinced of the" importance of the 
movement. Colonel Sei.den was earnest in urging 
the occuparcy of Round Top, on Thursday, and said 
that Pickett's division would be up l.y night, and they 
would have plenty of men. It was ordered that 
McLaws should attack simultaneously with Iloon. 
McLavvs wa.s s'ow, in fact he was an hour behind hand 
in coming to the field. McLaws' led Longstreet's 
Corps, and should have been on the right and in 
front. He was so slow in his movements that Hood 
was ordered to pass him, and thus was on the right of 
the whole Rebel Army. In the attack on Sickles, 
McLaw did not attack until after Hood's repulse ; in 
the latter's attempt to get between the Round I'ops. 

Hdod's O' ders were for him to move up theEmmetts- 
burg Road to cross it, and swing round, with right 
toward the Round Tops, and move towards Gettys- 
burg. He, at once, explained the peril ofso doing; that 
his right 11 nk and rear would be very much exposed, 
if notpositively endangered ; but Longstreet insisted 
that this was the movement ordered by General Lee, 
and airain directed it to be carried out. Hood then 
asked Longstreet to come in person and look at the 
position. He did so, and the order was Then modified, 
so as to combine a direct attack upon the Round Tops. 
McLaws then drew back on Thursday evening, and 
retired beyond the Emmettsburg road. 

On Fridaij, Law, with part of his old brigade, 
Jennings' brigade, and Robertson's brigade was 
in the woods, opposite to the Round Tops, 
beyond Houcks' Hill. Anderson's brigade and the 
First Texas Regiment were down the Emmettsburg 
Road watching the Union cavalry, whither they were 
posted by Colonel Sei.den, the" Adjutant-General of 
Hood's Division. There was no connection between 
this force and the main body in front of the Round 
Tops. The Union Cavalry came in on the left of the 
First Texas, and passed through their lines. Rii.ey 
now opened with his battery, which had no sup- 
ports or force with it. and they "were thrown into con- 
fusion. 

Colonel Selden then detached the Second Georgia, 
which deployed and opened on the Union Cavalry; 
when they retreated. 

Hood .<.poke of Lee, as saying, before Gettysburg, 
''The enemv (Union) are here and if ice do not uMp 
him. he vhII whip us.''' Previous to this, his former 
confident assertion used to be "The enemy are here 
and ice must (or icill) ivhip him.'''' Hood spoke of the 
value of moving down the mountains to Emmettsburg, 



102 

as the movement the Rebels should have made, and 
was of opinion the)' should nut have fought at Cjctti/.s 
hinr/. (The features of that battle-field prove that 
Lee, if he was the general, Rebels and sympathizers 
and panegyrists made him out to have been, was 
either not himself upon tliis occasion, or. as is most 
likely, one of the most over estimated phantasms mili- 
tary annals describe.) Hoon's opinion as to moving 
on Emmettsburg, rather than fighting at Gettysburg, 
led to the remark of Lec, with which this paragraph 
opens. Never before had he shown such lack of con- 
fidence, or seemed to be so shaken in his ctmviction of 
what the result was to be. Hood spoke of the Rebel at- 
tacks from Swell's Corps on their riglit, along their 
whole line, as being like (the see-saw on the swingle- 
tree, neither corps pulling together, or applying its 
force simultaneouslj-) that of a Ixilk}/ teaw- (In this as 
in many other particulars, there is a great similarity 
to the French aggressive, itc, at Waterloo likewise 
in the respective attitudes of the Rebel and Union 
and the French and British armies). He said there 
was nothing done in unison. LoMiSTREET, who did 
not wish to attack on Thursday until Pickett came 
up, expressed ex ctly this want of military simulta- 
neousness when he said, " He did not want to walk 
with one boot off." 



Captain Richard Tvlden Auchmuty, mentioned in 
General Craweord's narrative, was one of the most 
distinguished staff" officers who emerged from civil life 
to discharge the duties of a soldier. In lS61-*2, par- 
ticularly during McClellan's "Campaign on the 
Peninsula,'' he served on the stafT of Major-General 
MoRPvELL. At ChanceUorsriUei 1863, he was attached 
to the Staff of General Griffin, but was among those 
at the Chancellorville House, during the hottest fire, 
by which the Commanding General suflered so 
severely. At Gettysburg, and whenever and wherever 
he was on duty, in the field, his conduct was unex- 
ceptionable. Breveti d Lieutenant-Colonel United 
States Volunteers, for distinguished service, he only 
left the Army when the Rebellicm was subdued. He 
is the grand-nephew o, the famous Sir Samuel Auch- 
muty, who distinguished himself in the British 
Campaign against Buenos Ayres in 1806-'7, when he 
captured Monte Video, and by his ability redeemed 
thf incapacity of his superior, General Whitelock. 
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Auchmutv's father was 
a Captain of Marines in the United States Naval 
service, and. among other cruises was in the Me nter- 
r;inean in 1816, whon Chauncy dictated terms to the 
De)^ of Algiers. As Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Rich- 
ard Tyldkn ArcHMUTY was born and b ought up at 



ion 

the oonntry seat now owned by Johnston Livingston, 
Esq.. next' south of Tivoli, he may be claimed as 
another one of those sons of Red Hook, who did honor 
to their birth-place by their patriotism and military 
conduct, and, as such, he is enti'Ied to this notice in 
an Addr ss dedicated to the soldiers of that town, 
whose exploits are ttie pride and property of its citi- 
zens, especially of the '' immediate neighborhood " of 
Tivoi.i and Madai.in. 



NoTK G TO Pack 25, 7th Line fkom Bottom, Text, 
128th N. N. V. 



On the r2tli of August, 1862, a "War Meeting was 
held at the village of Madalin, which resulted in mus- 
tering in nineteen Volunteers, of a better class than 
those who generally respond, upon the spot, to an 
invitation to enlist 

Their names, worthy of commemoration, are as fol- 
lows. Thev are set down in the order in which they 
offered themselves to their country : 

1. Benjamin H. Cooper, 19, Tivoli, a highly intel- 
ligent and active youth (educated at General de 
Peyster's Free School), whose acquirements soon led 
to his detail, although against the promptings of his 
spirit, to Bureau Service. 

2. Geo. A. Norcittt. 18, Tivoli, who evinced upon 
all occasions, a d especially before Port Hudaoiu a 
gallantry of the highest type. See pages 40-41. 

3. TewiS N. Casiidou.ar, 19, Tivoli. He was 
with bis regiment at Port Hudson, on the Red River, 
and in the Shenandoah Valley. In the chxrge of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth upon the Louisiana 
Tigers, in which the Rebel General York lost his 
right arm, he was hit at the upper edge of the middle 
third of the right leg. The ball penetrated six inches 
along the fibula bone, thence to the tibia, and descend- 
ed to the ankle joint. A portion of the lead was 
found in his shoe, and the same shot knocked off the 
heel. He lay on the field until 7 p. m., and was six 
hours in the hands of the Rebels. They did nothng 
for him except to give him a drink of water. This 
was little enough, since they stole his canteen, panta - 
loons and shoes Finally two dismounted United 
States cavalrymen came along and gave him their 
shelter tents, but left him. Afterwards he saw Hugh 
McGuiKE, One Hundred and Fifty sixth N. Y. V., 
from Saugeriies, just opposite Tivoli, with whom he 
was well acquainted. McGuire stopped three other 
soldiers and the four carried him a mile and a half 
from the battle-ground to the Sixth Corps Field Hos- 
pital. The surgeons, at this point, would have nothing 
to do with Casiidollar, as he belonged to the Nine- 
teenth Corps. McGuiRE and a Dr. McLawry, of the 



104 

One Hundred and Fifty-sixtli. tlien pu Oashooi.i.ai: 
in an ambulance, which transported him to the Sixth 
Corps Hospital, four miles further on. Her Casii- 
noT.i.AK refused to be taken out, as he wanted to get 
on to his own surgeon. Dr. Ani>hkws, of Poughkeepsie. 
He lay in the ambnlance from 8 to 11 p. m. He was 
then driven 3 miles to the Nineteenth Corps Hospital, 
w'dch he reached about midnight. Next day, about 
II A. M.. his leg was amputated below the knee ; 
about 5 p. .M. he came to, from the effects of chloro- 
form ; at 6 p. M. lie was put in an ambulance and 
ilriven nine mile-^ to Winchester. On the way thither 
secondary hemorrhage came on; the stump "had obe 
cut open and th- arteries again t-iken up. At Win- 
chester the accommodations for the sick were very 
defective in the way of sinks. A soldier shot through 
the hips, fell, from want of attention on the part of 
his nurses, ami in falling, to save himself, caught 
Casiidoli.ar's stump and burst the flap, so that the 
bone protruded three inches. The surgeons had to 
cut or rasp the edge of the btme off and allow the rest 
to slough. From Winchesrer, (.!ashdoi,lar was trans- 
ferred to Martinsburgh ; thence, in a (Jaftle car, to 
Baltimore ; thence to Philadelphia ; thence to Chestar, 
Penn , to receive his discharge. This seems to be a 
wonderful case of endurance and recuperative power, 
and attests a constitution such as few possess. 

4 Jno. H. Hagar. 23, Madalin. mentioned at 
length in Address. See pages 16t, 26-'9, 36, 43, &c. 

5. Geo. F. Simmons, 24, Madalin, the subject of 
particular notice in Address. See pages 40-'l, 49 &c. 

6. Samuel Simmons, 25, Tivoli, rejected for consti- 
tutional defects. 

7. Lewls S1MMON.S, IT), Madalin. 

8. Montgomery Finger, 18, Madalin (a pupil of 
General de Peyster's Free §chool), a bright youth, 
but a victim to inflammatory rheumatism, who, 
although incapable of much field service, was of great 
use as a clerk and in the hospital. 

9. Henry A. Rrdndage, 27, Madalin, a coolly 
brave, .solid soldier, and a worthy citizen. See page 71. 

10 James Doyle, 23, Tivoli. 

11. George Warringer, Madalin, rejected for con- 
stitutional defects. 

12. Robert Rector, 28, Tivoli 

13. Peter Moore, 18, Madalin. 

14. Gilbert Dederick, 19, Upper Red Hook, 

15. Albert Cole, 20, Tivoli. 

16. Daniel Neenan. 35, Tivoli. His comrades do 
not endorse his record, 

17. Peter Wyer or Dwyer. 26, Tivoli, killed at 
Winchester. See page 71. 

18. Augustus Gcebel, 21. Madalin. 



105 

\'J. .)o[iN Van Etten, 47, Upper Red Hook ; died 
at Savaanah. See pai;es Gl-02. 

20. (tEorue W. MiNKi.KK (nicknamed Lieutenant 
Jurge), 18. Madalin, a cool, j>;allant fellow. See 
page 4(). 

21. Wii.i.iAM Hover, 23, Madalin, a gallant soldiei', 
badly wounded in the left arm at Fisher's Hill, under 

SlIEKlDAN. 

22. John Emory Coi.e, 2'A. Madalin. 

23. Robert M. Harris, 21. The Volunteers from 
Tivoli and Madalin say he did not muster in with the 
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth ; must have be' n 
in some other regiment. 

With the exception of No. 23, all these enlisted 
under Acting Company Commandant JonxsTON Liv- 
ingston de Peyster, aged 15-lG (now Brevet Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel United States Volunteers and New 
York Volunteers), at this time a pupil of the Highland 
Militarv C "liege, establi.-hed on West Point principles 
and plan. 



Note (J, to Foot Note * Page 25. 

{Lieutenant John jMcGill. Sergeant T. B. Paul- 
mi er, and Corporal Peter W. Funk, 150th Regt., 
N. Y Vols.) 

[Til ese sketches are printed almost verhatim from the 
original manuscripts famished btj the individuals to 
whom they relate. The onltj material changes made 
were from the first to the third p>erson.\ 

John AIcGill, born in the lown of Red Hook, in 183G 
enlisted, aged 25, as private, Oct. 1st. 1862, in the 
150th N. Y. v., and was assigned to Co. F..Capt. John 
L. Green. The 150th, ordered off Oct. 11th, reached 
Baltimore, Oct. 13th, 18G2. Here, Oct. 15th, McGili. 
was appointed third Sergeant, Co. F. The 150th lay in 
cmp in Baltimore, durim: the winter of 1862, and 
spring of 1863. Januaty 1st, 1863, Mr. McGill, to- 
gether with three Corporals and twelve privates, was 
detached from the Regiment, and St .tioned at Locust 
Point, Md , to guard the Government Warehouse and 
Railro d, where he remained two months. While 
there, he reported that, no fault could be found with • 
the beliavior of the men, and that he had reason to be 
grateful tor the trict performance of their duties, by 
corporals Funk, Paulmier and Ostrander of Red 
Hook, who did all in their power to discharge every 
dutv assigned to them Feb. 26th, 1863, this detach- 
ment was recalled. Lieut Bowman, Co. F., acting 
Provost-Marhal ; Sergeant McGill commanding Pro- 
vost guard consisting of Corporal Ostkander and 
thirteen privates, next proceeded to Westmintifer, Md 
There they found themselves in the midst of an 
"Order of the Knights of the Golden Circle," backed 



106 

by numerous Rebel sympathizers ; likewise desertei-s. 
The men of the 150t]i, besides doing othei' duty, 
arrested maiij' of the above and took them to Balti- 
more, lor trial. With four men. M< Gill was then 
ordered back to Westminster, to take posse.>sion of a 
Palmetto iiag (it the house of one Dr. Showers. Placing 
two guards at each door, flesj)ite a < lowd gatliering 
around, he entered the house of Dr Sijoweks. and 
searched for the flag, which he found, up stairs, hidden 
in a barrel. As the sympathizers .■^wore the flag 
ought not lo be carried off, McGill expected every 
minute an att ick from the exasperated crowd. Never- 
theless, after numerous adventures, he succeeded in 
getting back to his main post, with the captured flag. 
June 30th, this post was attacked by Gcnl. Stewart's 
forces, when that Rebel general made his raid into 
Maiyland with 7,000 men. In the jilace ( Westmiiistt'vf) 
was Capt CoEBETT, commanding sixty of the First 
Deleware cavalry. Beside McGll's detachment, hese 
constituted the whole garrison Corrett made a 
gallant charge on Stew.^ut's advance cavalry, belong- 
ing to the First Virginia Horse. McGill attacked 
the Rebels from behind buildings and drove them 
twice; but, being surrounded by a large foice, the 
loj^al garrison was taken prisoner. Of the Federals 
two were killed and seven wounded. The Rebels lost 
one captain and two lieutenants killed, and had 
seventeen men wounded. The Rebels then marched 
their prisoners, through Pennsylvania, to Hanover, in 
that State. At this place, being attacked by the 
Union forces, the Rebels compelled their prisoners to 
form in line of battle to support one of their own bat- 
teries. 

While apparently supporting the battery, they were 
shelled by Ivilpatrick'.s gims. Mc(Jill said. "Boys 
we will not support that battery any longer.'" The Reb- 
els then tried to compel them to serve against their 
own people, but the loyal prisoners would not, and re- 
tired about fifty paces. Then Kilpatrick attackeil 
the Rebels and drove them. Tlie 'oyal prisonei's were 
next marched 118 miles to Dover, Penna., wiihout 
provisions or shoes; in fact the Rebels gave them nei- 
ther victuals nor drink. After this they were pa- 
roled by General Stewaijt and sent to camp Paoli, 
Westell' ster, Penna. Here they remained ten days, 
when McGiLL was ordered to repoit back to West- 
mitister, to perform Provost duty again. Promoted 
Second Sergeant, Co. F.,he remained there until Aug. 
27th, when he was ordered to join his regiment, 150th 
and did so about September 1st, at Kelly's Ford ; 
inarched thence to the Raccoon Ford ; thence to 
Brandy Station; thence the regiment took transporta- 
tion for Stevenson, Alabama. It lay there a short 



107 

lime ami then wiissent \>ack to Normandy, Tennessee, 
when' it lay dining the winter, doing garrison duty 
iind suffering extremely from the cold. 

From Noruuindy, McTJill was detailed to go 
North for recruits. Together with Capt. Cogswell, 
he remained home seventeen days, and then was 
ordered back to his regiment, which he rejoined IMay 
23d at Gassville, Georgia. The 150th marched May 
24th and took part next day, 25th, in the battle of 
Dallas, in which the 150th suffered severely. The 
150th also participated in the batfles of Pine Knob, 
J line 14th, Gulp's Farm. June 22d., Marietta, July 4th, 
Ch:\ttaehoochee River, July 7-17th. 

Within two in'les of Atlanta, a general engagement 
t-nsueil which resulteil m driving and confinmg the 
Rebels within their inner works. July 29th McGill 
was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, vice Ryan, died 
of ickness. Tiie 150th lay there under fire about six 
weeks, and then fell back again to the Chattachoochee 
Sept. 1st, Atlanta having capitulated to Sherman, the 
150th was the second regiment to enter the city. 
After its rest at Aflantn the army started Nov. loth- 
15th for Savanna]). During «he wliole march, the 
150th was engaged in on y one skirmish, at San- 
dersvlTle Ga., (Nov. 25tb) with AVheeler's cavalry 
until the aru)y reached Ten Mile Fort, near Savannah. 
The brigade to which the 150th belonged having 
formed in line of battle in a rice swamp to charge on 
the fort, the Rebels let tiie water in upon them, nearly 
drowning the Union soldiers. Corporal Funk, being 
.-ihort of stature, had to swim for his life. The 150th 
then changed positi(m by the left flank, charged the 
fort, drove the Rebels and captured all their guns and 
ammunition. While l3iug before Savannah, the 150th 
Regiment, together with the rest of the 2d Brigade, 
1st Division, 20th Corps, was sent to Askill's Island 
to gather rice, the men being in a starving conditi(m, 
since they had nothing but rice to eat. This they had 
themselves io pound out of the hulls, hardly getting 
enough to sustain life. During the whole time the 
2d Brigade was on this island, it was subjected to a 
contir lied fire from the Rebel gun-boats. The 2d 
Brigade then crossed over to the Carolina shore and 
formed with both wings resting on the river, having 
the Rebel skirmishers in their front and gun-bonts in 
their rear Tlie 2d Brigade held its position until 
Savannah was evacuated, when it was ordered to re- 
port to Corps Headquarters in that city. The 150th 
crossed >\nd re-crossed, followed up by the Rebel skir- 
mishers. It was on this occasion, while subjected to a 
flank fire from the Rebels, that Colonel Ketcham, now 
Brevet Major-General and Member of Congress, was 
wounded, while riding along the line, giving 



108 

orders. Colonel KETrjiAisi contimie<l to riinmiaiid 
until he ha<l to l)e carried off the Held. He was sue- 
ceeded b}' Major (now Brevet-Bri,2,adier-General) Al- 
fred B. Smith. The 150th finally reached Savannah 
and lonlinned there doing <ieneral guard duty until 
January 11th. After this it crossed the river into 
South Carolina, having a skirniisii with the enemy at 
Riibertsville. From that time up to the date of tlie 
liattle of AverysV)(>ro. N. C. the 150th liad no fighting, 
but plenty nf privation and hard woik. During its 
long and arduous marcl), ii buiitmil sof corduroy roads, 
swam or wa<led ni.mliers of .-wamps and rivers, living 
upon the C!)uiitry. 'L'iie boys subsist, d by their own 
foraging and througli tlie loraging ol Shkrman's '' Bum- 
mers ;'' some days getting lots of good things, and then 
again coming down to corn meal. At length alter 
numerous adventures and accidents, with the help of 
God and through the management of (ieneral Shek- 
MAN, the Union Army reached Averysboi'o, where the 
Rebels mustered courage (luingh to iUfark the Lojal 
forces. 

They had just gone into camp and settled for the 
night, when orders came to fall in and march about 
eight miles to support Kii.patkick. Wading through 
mud up to the arm-pits — some of the boys going all un- 
der — the 150th reached Kilpatrick about midnight 
and went into action at daylight. The ISOtb fought 
all day in the rain and drove the enemy two miles. 
Thence the 150th proceeded to Bentonsvilie, wher it 
arrived March 19th, 1805. Here a general engagment 
ensued. The Rebels were routed in all quarters and 
finally driven from the field. Thence the march was 
resumed, and the 1.50th ev ntually arrived at Golds- 
boro, in a pitiful condition The men were without 
shoes or hats, and the majority ha<l nothing on but 
drawers, or one leg of a pair of pantaloons, without ra- 
tions, tired ou and hungry indee<]. At G Idsboro the 
150th was re-fed and re-clothed, and as the boys said, 
'• they felt themselves again new mtn.'' Here McGill 
was promoted for raeritt)rious conduct to 2d Lieuten- 
ant. 

Thence the army marched to Raleigh ; near this, at 
Jones's Cross Roatis, Johnston surrendered much to 
the joy of the men and of the nation, for (as McGii.i. 
concluded the letter from which these facts are de- 
rived) "if he, had kept on to Texas I might not have 
been spared to write you the above simple narrative 
of m3' share of duty assigned me, in the 150th N. Y., 
Vols., — always from one prtmjotion lo another winning 
the esteem and approval of my superior officers, and 
endeavoring (conscientiously) to fill whatever capacity 
I was placed in " 



109 

Oorjtoral Peter W. Funk, born in Red Hook, enlist- 
<'il in the One Ilund ed and Fiftieth N. Y. V.. at the upe 
of eighteen, was assigned August 28th 18G2, to Com- 
pany F. ; joined it at Poughkeepsie. and was there ap- 
pointed Corporal, Company F. The regiment left C>cto- 
ber 11th, arrived at Baltimore. October 13th, and 
went into (\i}up MH/iiigtoii, thence to Camp Badger, 
near Dnitd IJiU Park, where they put up a new bar- 
racks during the winter of '62 and '63. It lay there 
until it was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, 
On its march to Getiijshur(/. and joined it ut Mouocacy 
Bridge. The C)ne Hundred and Fiftieth continued with 
the army until within two days' march of CiettYsi)urg. 
There the men of the One Hundred and Fiftieth were 
oidered to leave their knapsacks by the side of the 
road and proceed on to Gettysburg, where they could 
already hear the roar of the artillery; reached the 
battle-field about noon, July 2d. and lay as re-erve in 
a stubble tield. They were finally ordered up. towards 
night, to retake two pieces of artillery. They did so and 
then fell back again, lying all night on their arms The 
next dav, July 3d, they were ordered into the engage- 
ment. Tiiey participated throughout the battle, and 
came out scot free, and l,egan chasing Lee, and cha.sed 
him to WiUiamsport, but did not ca'ch him ; thence 
to Warreitfoii Jmiction, and finally to KcUy' s Ford, 
thence to Raceoon Ford, thence to Brandy Station. 
From this last place the One Hundred and Fiftieth 
proceeded by rail to Stereiison, Ala ; tlience to Nor- 
>iHi)idy, Teiiii., doing garrison duty until the following 
April, 1864. Then the One Hundred and Fiftieth 
started on the Atlanta Campaign. Funk participated 
in the engagement at ReMUca. Here our ''Boys in 
l^liie" defeated the Ficliels. as tliey did also at Z)(7?/as, 
Culpa Farm. Fixe Knob. Keuesaio Mountain. Feach 
Tree Creek, and in the general engagements, around 
Atlanta, Jidy 22d, giving them cause to always re- 
member SnEiiMAN, and his fighting men from the 
Army of the P(jt(imac. They then resumed their march 
for Saranuah, arrived before that city, and from that 
time forward participated in all the marches and 
battles and privations which are related in Lieutenant 
John M('G ill's narrative, ever doing their whole 
duty ; always thinking of home and loved ones there ; 
often dtsponding, heart-sick, weary, worn-out, only 
kept alive by the prospects of a speedy termination of 
the war. Thus, ever hoping, ever watching, at last, 
the One Hundred and Fiftieth, with the others, re- 
ceived the r reward in the final surrender of Joe 
Johnston's forces, the closing of the war, the march 
homewards and arrival there. The reception of the 
One Hundred and Fii leth by the people of Duchess 
County was a fitting one from a grateful people to its 



110 



brave sons, who had gone forth to battle for a nation's 
rights. All tluir hardships were now forgotten. With 
their armor and arms, the men of the One Hundred 
and Fiftieth lay aside all reniemhrances of their 
troubles and grievanees. 



In the narratives of Lieutenant McGill and Cor- 
poral Funk, the language of their autogi'aphs was 
followed wherever it was sufficiently clear to need no 
change to make it so. In the account of Sei'geant 
Paulmif.r, it became necessary to re-model com- 
pletely, since his remarks were too severe for this 
book. In fact, throughout, it is matter of regret 
that all strictures were not discarded and alt' ough 
thev were not, with rare exception, tiiose of the 
speaker and compiler, still it is to be resretted that 
they were not omitted, and, even softened as they 
have been, had the pages been printed otherwise than 
they were, disjointedly, and piece by piece, the stric- 
tures, referr. d to, would have been left out al- 
together. J. W. de P 



Thomas B. Paulmiek, a citizen of Red llook, aged 
thirty-one, bv occupation a painter, volunteered in the 
One 'Hundred and Fift eth N. Y. V., Company F. coui- 
manded by Captain John L. Grkkn. August 2Cth, 
1862, he was appointed Corporal ; Mar h, 1863, Color- 
Corporal ; June 27th, on the march to Gettysburg, 
Color-Serge -nt Brandt, having been taken sicK or 
otherwise incapacitated. Paulmiek received and 
carried the State Color. In the baltle, July 2d, p. M., 
when the (Jne Hundred and Fiftieth and First Mary- 
land were ordered to advance, re-take two pieces of 
ar illery, and re-establish their lines, which they did, 
Paulmier volunteered to carry the County (U. S. ?) 
Colors (tile bearer having given out), which, during 
the two days' light, were torn in fourteen pieces by 
bullets "The boys all behaved manfully, sustaining 
the good name with which they left > ome.'' While 
chasing Lee, Paulmier was taken sick, but still c'ung 
to his colors until they reached Kelhfs Ford, when 
he was forced to give up and go into the hospital at 
Washington. Thence he was "• sent home to vote for 
Lincoln.' After election he was transferred to 
David's Island, N. Y. Haroor, where he acted for one 
year as Ward-Master ; thence to Bedloe's Island, 
where he acted for five months as Comndssary"s 
Clerk. In January, 1865, he re-joined his regiment, at 
Savannah ; marched with it through the Carolinas, 
up to the date n\' Johnston's surrender, and until it 
was mustered out at Poughkeepsu?. Sergeant Paul- 
mier claims for himself las a representative of Rf'd 
Hook), the credit of having carried our County 



Ill 

(country, i- e- V . S ?) Colors into its first battle, 
Oetfi/.ihiirr/, and bringing them out with honor, 
nlthongh Serueant Smali.ev of Compan}- G. received 
the name. Lieutenant McGill mentions him as a 
good, lirave, and i-eliable soldier. 



[IISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND 
FIFTIETH REGIMENT N. Y. VOL. INF. 



NoTK 8. Note to Page 31, LineIO, 150th N. Y.V. 

The ISOtii was nmstered into the service October 
llth, 1862 It arrived in Baltimore, Md., on the 13th, 
and early in November was put on guard duty in that 
city, subject to all the temptation.s of a populous and 
hus}'- seaport. It required the utmost vigilance to 
in intain discipline. In December, 1862 it was sent 
on an expedition to Adamstown, near Monocacy 
•Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This 
movement, intended to d'eck an expected Rebel raid, 
occupied about one week. The troops on their return 
to the city resumed their former guard duty. 

On the 25th day of .June, 1863, the regiment moved 
with the 1st Maryland-Potoniac-Home-Brigade. Gen- 
eral LocKWGOD, U S.A. in command, to join the Army 
of the Potomac. It reached iMonocacy Bridge, near 
Frederick Citj' on the 28th, and joined the 12th Corps 
forming a part of 3d Brigade 1st Division of that 
Corps, commanded by General Alpheus S.Williams. 
General Alfred B. Smith says. A. S. Williams com- 
manded the 12th Corps ; Brigadier-General Thomas H. 
RuGER, the 1st Division ; and General Lockwood the 
2d Brigade. This Corps reached Gettysburg, Pa., on 
the morning of the 2d July, and supported the 3d Corps 
during the di\j. When o" the afternoon of that day 
the 3d Corps was pressed hard and forced back, the 
1st Division. 12th Corps, drove the Rebels and the 
150th captured two cannon, and participated with much 
credit in the general engagement of the next day the 
3d. The 150th had 8 killed and 40 wounded in this 
action, and withstood, behind frail works, the furious 
attack which Ewell, the successor to Stonewall 
Jackson, made upon their left on that terrible day of 
conflict. Many of the men went into that fight bare- 
footed. The light boots, appropriate to guard duty 
in Baltimore, had given out, and Major Smith ttstifies 
that he saw many a rock marked with the blood of 
lacerated feet. With scarcely an exception, men and 
officers did their duty well ; all were eager for the 
fight. The long and tedious march after this battle 
is well known. The 12th had the reputation of being 
one of the most active corps in the army. It re- 
mained as rear guard one day near the scene of con- 



112 

liict, and then with marclies of 30, 28, and 27 
miles pt'P da\-, readied tlie viciuit}- ol VViilianisport. 
Major Smith of the 15Ut.ii was on picker tlie 
night the Keliels crossed the river, and with liis 
ljrigade-[)ickei made an advjuice on the liebel lines, 
driving them halt a mile, and was thus enabled to 
discover the retreat ol the enemy. Upon that very 
report a general advance was ordered. The armv 
marched down to Harper's Ferry, and crossed the 
l^otomae there, pnrsuing Ljsk, and keeping him west 
of the mountains ; thence marched to the Kappahan- 
nock river. There it lay a niontii with a sick li.-t 
averaging from lUU to 25(J per day. The disease was 
typho-malariai fever, but tlirough the excellent care 
and experience of its noble surgeon. Dr. C. N Camp- 
BKLL, of Duchess county, it lost but very few men. 
Two officers. Lieutenants AI.aksh.mj, and W'ellixo. 
ooth of the same Company, C, and both from the 
town of Pleasant Valley (where tiieir fathers now re- 
side, and wiiere their bodies now lie buried), died of 
this disease. M.\rshall was sent to the hospital at 
Washington and died there. Welling stuck to his 
post and went with the regiment to the far West, re- 
taining the command o, his company until the 150th 
reached the far-famed Tullahoma, one of the scenes of 
liosECRANs's glory, the Thermopylae (of Braggj, of 
Tennessee. There, at length, worn out, he died, a 
true hero. Mone nobler ever fell on the battle-Keid ! 
The regiment re iched the place of winter quarters, 
Normandy, Teiines.-ee, about Jiie 1st of November, 
after having twice marched over tiie Cumbei-laiui 
Mountains to take part in the advance on Chatta- 
nooga. Twice the Rebels cut the road behind them, 
and the 1st Division, General A. S. WIlliams was 
ordered back to protect tlie road. The winter passed 
most tediously in the discharge oi' guard duty, watch- 
ing the railroad, and hunting Guerrillas. Unce they 
were sent down into Lincoln County and collected 
^35,600 out of the Rebel farmers and property 
holders. $10 000 of this was paid lo each of the 
families of three Western soldiers who had been 
cruelly murdered in that vicinity. On their return 
to Tullahoma the band of robbers who had been 
prowling around them killed M- E. Udell, of Rhine- 
beck, Company F, 150th, and George Lovelace, of 
Stanford, Company C, 150ch. Through the etlbrts of 
Colonel Ketcham the balance of the money (1^5,000), 
was procured and assign d for their families and, was 
sent home to be paid V< them. While on tlie railroad 
the 150th could procure no sanitary supplies, as all 
trains ran through without stopping, and ail were 
elfected by the scurvy, badly. Wuon spring opened, 
this terrible disease had a hold, to some extent, un 



113 

every ni n and officer in the regiment. On the 25th 
of April, 18G4, the 150th commenced its march, for 
the hist time, for tlie front. On the 1st of May it 
readied Chattanooga, and on the 5th, at Buzzard 
Roost and Tunnel Hill, 25 mil s south of Chattanooga, 
the Du hess Boys first took pa't in that fighting 
which was going on either in the form of a skirmish 
or a battle, in front of our advancing army, until the 
1st of September, when the army left Atlanta. The 
campaign was most vigorous, and with the exception 
of two days rest at Cassville, Ga., there was not an 
hour of the day or the night that did not ' ring with 
it, like the tick of the death watch, the sound of the 
bursting shell and the whistling bullet. The order 
was ''advance'' all day skirmishing and fighting, and 
•• build a line of works," before resting at night ; thus 
liberating the second line for Hanking 

On the 15th of May, 18G4, the battle of Resacca was 
fought. At Hrst the 150th was advanced in the 2d 
line; but as soon ^s the iutrenchments of the enemy 
were reached, and they opened upcm the 150th, this 
regiment was ordered to a hill on the extreme left in 
the front line, to hold it and prevent a tlank move- 
ment of the enemy. At the time it took up this posi- 
tion th re was quite an interval betw .-en the 150th 
and the remainder of the line. The importance of the 
position was evident; so, with permission from the 
Brigade Commander, the 150th ccmstructed a rude 
pile of rails and logs into a breastwork, and to this 
little precauticm we owe the success of that day. No 
troops, unp oticted, could have held the position un- 
der the terrible assault of a whole Rebel division 
which came upon them in a iew moments. Never did 
a Rebel column advance in better order than did 
those eight regiments, in double column, closed in 
mass. They wheeled in the open field in front of the 
15th, and then moved upon it. At 300 yards the 150th 
opened, and 40 Rebel dead immediately strewed the 
ground. The assailants retired a short distance and 
then opened a most vigorous fire, making a pepper-liox 
of the house upon the hill, in which the 150th was 
posted ; beautifully mowing down the weeds in the 
garden in front, and splintering the rails by whicli it 
was protected. In this battle the 150th had none 
killed, but 9 were wounded, all of whom but one, 
it is reported, died, for some special reason, of the 
injuries received. 

On the 25tli of May, 1864. at Dallas or New Hope 
Church, the 150th had another desperate fight. The 
Buys marched up to within 150 yards of the well-built 
works of The Rebels, put eight of their cannon iu 
chancery, aii<l held the position till midnight, when 
they were relieved. This was accomplished notvvith- 



114 

standing a veteran regimeut of our lirigade, on tlie 
right, broke and went to the rear, early in the fight, 
leaving one flank entirely uncovered. This test satis- 
fied the niea of tlie ISOtli that they would obey orders 
and stand to the last extremity. In this action tlie 
"Boys in Blue" were without tlie least protection, and 
had 8 killed and 42 wounded. Every day from tliis 
time on, some one, two or three of the regiment were 
hit. The 22d day of June, 1864, was marked by 
another desperate encounter in which the 150th bore 
a most conspicuous part. Tliis was called the battle 
of Gulp's Farm, south of Kenesaw Mountains. 
Three regiments, assisted by the guns of three bat- 
teries, withstood the charge, in four lines, of the Eebel 
General Stephensox's whole division. Here, as at 
Resacca, the 150th had thrown down an (dd railfence, 
z'g-zag a moment previous, but quickly straigiitened 
by pulling in the corners and letting it fall in a wind- 
row of rails. In single line, behind this, tiie 150th, 
without any support, expended 225 rounds of am- 
munition per man. Lieutenant Hexry Gkidlet. of 
Wassaic, in the town of Amenia, fell in this fight, and 
10 were wounded. Gkidley was one of the best 
officers in the service, and was beloved by all. It was 
remarked that it was doubtful if he had his superior 
in rectitude of character. On the 20th of July, 1864, 
at Peach Tree Creek, the 150th was in another ^evere 
fight. There the Re. 'el General Hood, newly assigned 
to command in place of Joe Johxsox, threw his whole 
army on the 20th Corps, and was repnl>ed. While in 
front of Atlanta, August, 1864, Lieutenant Jonx Sweet, 
of the town of Beekman, Company G, died of chronic 
diarrhoea, in th^; field hospital. After the fall of At- 
lanta the ]50tli worked busily at tbrtifying it until it 
was decided to start for the Sea. The command of 
the regiment then devolved upon Major, now Brevet 
Brigadier-General, Alfked B. Smith, of Poughkeepsie. 
This was on tiie 15th of October, and, from that time 
forward, lie commanded it all the time except onedav 
at Savannah, when General Ketcham came back, and 
was almost immediately wounded, in South Carolina. 
The march of Shekmax commenced at Atlanta, No- 
vember 15th, 1864. The incidents of thir. march are 
too well known to need repetition here. On the 10th 
of December, 1864, Siier^ian captured and entered 
Savannah, w^hich, in his emphatic language, he pre- 
sented, with its enormous spoils, as a Christmas gift 
to the loyal nation. 

Throughout this march strict discipline was ob- 
served in the 150th. Attendance to the hourly roll calls 
on the march was a capital measure and kept up the 
discipline. On the 17th of January, 1865. the Union 



115 

army left. Savannah. No line <>f l)attle opposed tlie 
150th in the once urro<rant but now \vell-\vl]i[)ped 
Palmetto State. Moving on liomeward the hoys liad 
nuule but asiiort journey in North Carolina when they 
met the enemy at' Averysboro, N. C. They lost largely 
in tliis liii'iit, among them our esteemed brotlier otficer, 
Lieutenant David B. St.aigiit, of La Grange, killed 
leading his company in the last battle of the war. 
Goldsl)orough was reached on the 24th of March, and 
Raleigh on the 12th of April 1864. On the 30th of 
Ai)ril the 150th left the capital of North Carolina, 
and by the way of Richmond, on the 20th of May, 
1865, defiled through AVashiuiton. 

Thus has been presented a brief outline of the 
history of the 150th Regiment. Brief, indeed, but 
glorious, much more glorious, however, laid time and 
space permitted full justice to a subject so worthy of 
attention. Incidents of personal heroism were abun- 
dant in the course of the regiment's varied careei". but 
we shall relate but one. Henry L. Stone of New- 
York City (originally belonging to the I45th N. Y. V., 
whence he was assigned to the 150th in January 
1864), was struck with a piece o1 a siiell while making 
breastworks in front of Pine Knob, Georgia. The 
ragged piece ot the missile tore out his bowels. The 
lacerated fragments were gathered together, and his 
comrades laid him down a, short distance to the rear 
to die. He said, "Major, will you call tlie Colonel?" 
Major Smith did so. Said he, "Colonel, liave I been 
a good soldier?" "Yes." was Ketcham's reply, 
" Henry, you have done your duty." Poor, dying 
Stone answered, "I ani glad ^o hear you say that. 
Colonel. My work is done. Tell my mother how 1 
did my duty. Call around me my comrades of Com- 
pany A." They came. "Boys," said the dying 
patriot, "My work is done. Stand by that old flag! 
I gave my life for it! I am glad to doit! Boys 
stand by that old flag!" He died shortly afterwards. 
There were, as near as can be learned, about 135 
deaths in the i-egiment from wounds and sickness. 
There were 1,200 on the rolls (all told, recruits and 
original members), and 501 came home with Major, 
now Brevet Brigadier-General Smith. It has been said 
that there w.as not a better regiment in the service. It 
did its whole duty. No stain was attached to its char- 
acter. It was never compelled to retire an inch be- 
fore a foe Its colors always advanced. Its com- 
uuinders might well be proud to have been members 
of it. It was favored as a regiment, wrote Brevet 
Brigadier- General Smith, in not being under drunken.^ 
inefficient, or reckless oflicers. The first care of 
Colonel Ketcham was ro save his men, and every 



officer was on hand to do his wliole dutv. Twelve 
officers of the Kej^inient were al)seiit detached from 
the Eegiinent on staf!" duty, at the time tliewar cltJi-ed. 
it hecaine tlie reniarl; that tlie loOtli liad more officers 
detaiied on statt'dnty tiian any otlier reirinient in tlie 
• •rigade. 



NOTE 9 TO Paok-±5, Line 2o — '• Xegro " (Troops.) 



Brevet Major-General J. Watts de Peystei: 
(S.N. Y.) thinks tliat he can siiow that he was tlie 
tirst to suggest the idea of raising Colored Keginients 
to assist in suppressing the "Slaveholders' liehellion,"' 
— at all events thetir.-twho jjublished such a pi-opo- 
sition in a newsi)aper. In an article "Physical 
Strength (of the North and Soutli) CoiMi'AHEn'"— ctne 
of a series on similar subjects — which ap|)eared in 
the Poughlieepsie Eagle and neighboring jirints in the 
'vinter of 1859-1860, when ditferent far-sighted int-n 
looked upon a contest as unav(>i(lal>le and near-ai- 
hand in conseciuence of the arrogant menace con- 
tinued usur])ations and unprincipled doctr nes and 
action of the South the following paragraph occu-s : 
'• Again, in case that the Soutii (Private MSS . 
Opinions, Records and Notices. Vol. 1, No. 25, page 
45,) should undertake to comi)el the North into 
respecting the Federal compact as understood by 
her own men, enough (Free-soil) citizen soldiers i ould 
be mobilized and sent into tiietield — without the Free 
States feeling the drain — to meet at least one-half of 
her disposable force; all that the South could ad- 
vance, as she would need the other half to meet the 
enemy (a terrible one) within her own borders. More- 
over, the Southern climate is hardly more destructive 
to Northern visitants than it is to its own children. 
No regiment withered away under the eftect ot hard- 
ship and privations in the Mexican war so fast as did 
the truly gallant South Carolina contingent. Nor 
would it be foreign to this consideration to refer to the 
ease with which regiments ot acclimated mxced racea 
could be organized under Northern officers, in case 
that the industrial requirements of the North should 
indicate that her ichite males were more valuable as 
operatives in the ranks of peaceful productiveness 
than as combatants in the armies >if destruction. 

To sum up this portion of the subject, it would l)e 
well for the Soutii to remember that three servile wars 
shook the Roman Republic, a republic of soldiers, to 
its foundation: and that St. Domingo swallowed up 
one of the tinesr and strongest armies which France 
ever sent from her shores, and acquired <ts inde- 
pendence despite the efforts of one of the most war- 
like empires and mighty warriors by which the vvorM 
has ever been accursed. 



117 

Fioally. Governor Wisk's tlireat of pursuing with 
an nvmy, invaders of the sacred soil of Virginia, into 
tlii>^e neiii-hliorinjr N'orihern States, in wliich they 
miprht take refntre, and of invading tlie non-slave- 
hoiding States and even Canada, at tlie liead of a 
Inuidred thousand of the chivah-y of Virginia, for the 
extirpation of Ab<ditionists, calls to mind an anecdote 
related hy an aged, hut highly inHnential, Christian 
gentleman oocnpving a proiniiient position in one of 
our N'orthern cities, whom sickness compelled to visit 
the Virginia Springs. This was some years ago, when 
tlie South was not quite so violent as it is now. yet 
violent enough in all conscience. One day, while 
here, a young man, of good fainilv, remarked that if 
the anti-slavery men of New-York did not take care, 
an army of twenty or thirty thousand high-sjiirited 
citizens of his State (Virginia) would p:vy them a 
visit some mornii g and i)nnish tnem at hon.e. To 
which the New-Yorker quietly rei)lied that if such a 
number came to New York and behaved themselves 
peaceably, they wonid, no doubt, he kindly received 
and hospitably treated, but that if they came tliere 
riotously disposed, there were plenty of rough? in the 
streets vvlio would doubtless give thtm a reception in 
everv way appropriate to their high anticipations. 

Subsequently, in an Annual Address, delivered Oe- 
tober 20, 1863, before the Vermont State Histokical 
SoriETV, in tlie Hall of Representatives, Capitol. 
Montpelier, entitled •" Secession in Sicitzerland and 
the United States Compared:''' General de Pkystek 
remarked (page 10, pamphlet) in cnnectidii with the 
(•om])arative nou-productiveiu ss of the drafts: 

"Tlirough the ill-judged interference of rich com- 
miiniries or associations, the administration is not 
dra\\ingthe expected reinforcements trom the draft 
just concluded. That so many citizens are unwilling 
to tight out, with their own arms, the great battle ot 
freedom, but are willing to confide it to another race, 
and hireling hands, is unworthy of a free people, 
and teeming with mischief, if no remedy is at hand 
anil applicable. 

" I particularly allude to the organization of a dis- 
proDortion te number of blacks. Their undue aug- 
mentation is i)regnant with evil, if not restricted 
within reasonable limits. Not that I am opposed 
to negro regiments. Far from it, since I believe I 
icas the first, in print, to suggest their organization. 
But 1 am opposed to a negro army outnumlaering that 
composed of w'lites. Carthage, Venice, Holland relied 
upon mercenaries to maintain their policy withi , 
extend their area without, and fight evi n for their 
independence. Rome'' s mohilized militia burned Car- 



118 

thage ; the native armies of France seized Veitice and 
handed her over to Austria as a prey : and Holland 
dictated to by Prussia and Eiiglaiul—i^he latter as 
false to the [/iiited Frorinces as'slie has proved to the 
United States.) stooped her free neck to the yoke of 
royalty; stooped it to be abased a second time and 
plundered in 1830-'! — despite their mm solemn guaran- 
tees, by England, and France, jusr as England and 
France would like to dismember, plunder and iiumi- 
liate us. 2^/ie rough edge of the work ma)/ he taken 
off by our black auxiliaries^ but the Jiiiishing touches 
■must be put on by ourselres, by our white brethren.'' 

CAPTAIN AUGUSTUS BARKER. 



NoTK 10 TO Pagf. 71. 



The incidents in connection with his death are ms 
follows: On the IGth of September, 18G3, his regi- 
ment the Fifth New York Volunteer Cavalry, had 
moved from Hartwood Church and crossed to the 
southern side of the Rappaiiannock. (';iptain Barker 
was left behind in charge of the troops, picketing the 
river, and on the 17th, while on the march to rejoin 
his regiment, as he was riding with a single man some 
distance in front of the column, he was fired upon h_v 
Guerrillas concealed in the adjoining wood. Two balls 
took effect, one in the right side. >ind the other in the 
left breast, each inflicting a mortal wound He was 
immediatel}' carried to the house of Mr. Harris 
Freeman, near Mount Holly Church, aViout one mile 
from Kelly's Ford. From this gentleman and his 
fiimily the dying soldier received the most tender at- 
tentions. Everything in their power was done to 
alleviate his sufferings, but without avail ; he sur- 
vived his wounds only twelve hours, dying at half- 
past one on the morning of September 18th. Sergeant 
McMuhLEN, of his company, remained with him until 
he expired, and then saw him buried just in the rear 
of Freeman's house. The grave was marked, and the 
body subsequently disinteired and brought back to 
New York. 

The funeral of Captain Augustus Baekek took place 
from St. Peter's Church, Albany, at 3 p. m., Saturday 
afternoon, and was largely attended. The funer.il 
cortege consisted of a detachment of the Twenty- 
fifth Regiment, the City Volunteers, Captain Marshal, 
preceded b} Shreiber's Band. The remains of the 
gallant officer were deposited in the Cemetery, Octo- 
ber 10, 1863. 

Captain Augustus Baeker was with Brigadier- 
General E. H. Stoughton when he was betrayed at 



119 

Fairfnx by that modern Delilali, Miss Antonia J. 
Ford, IIoi orary (?) Aide de-Camp to the famovis Rebel 
cavalry treneral, J. E. B. Stuart, into the hands of 
the famous guerrilla, Captain John 8. Mosbv. It 
would appear (rotn contemporary accounts that young 
Baekkh was the only one of the captured party who 
behaved with any etiergy upon this occasion. He 
made desperate efforts to escape, and only surrendered 
when it was no lonjrer a question of escape, but of 
life or death. 

Captain Barkkr was born on the 24tli of April, 
1842, and was a student at Harvard University, Cam- 
bridjje, Mass. when he left to join the Army. His 
first commission as Second Lieutenant of the Fifth 
New York Volunteer Cavalry is dated Albany, Octo- 
ber 31. 18G1. On the ?>d of May, 18G2. he was pro- 
moted to a First Lieutenantcy. and on the 24th of 
October of the same year, he was comn issioned Cap- 
tain. 

Captan Barker was the youngest son of Wm. H. 
Barker, Esq., o Tivoli, Red Hook, and a jirands.m of 
the late William James, of Albany. N. Y. He was 
beloved by his comrades, as by all who knew him for 
the manliness of his character, and the generosity of 
his disposition His promotion w> s the just reward 
of his good conduct and honorable service. His valor 
and patriotism had been tried in many battles and by 
the more dreadful horrors of Richmond prisons. He 
survived all this to ])erish in the flower of his youth, 
by the hands of Rebel assassins. 

The following are specimens of the epistolary talent 
of this brave youns officer, which evince so much 
ability that, considering the circumstances under 
which they were written, they are well worthy a 
place, ill connection with his obituary notice, in this 
address : 

Tn Bivouac. Fifth New York Cavalry, 1 
BooNSBORo, Md.. July 7, 1863. J 
Wm. If- Barker Esq.. Tiroh' : 

My Deak Father: — An hour ago we arrived here, 
completely fatigued and worn out, having been in the 
saddle two weeks, and two days without food for men 
or horses, and with not more th .n 4 hours rest out of 
the 48. I am now sitting upon a bundle of wheat, 
writing upon my knee, in haste, as the mail leaves in 
an hour, and, after this day, the Lord only knows when 
and where we may halt again. No longer are we un- 
der General Stahl's command as he was relieved 
at the same time as Hooker. But General Kilpat- 
RicK is our leader now, and we are as proud to be led 
on by him, as (he told us in an address after the battle 
of Gettysburg) he is "proud to command (<s." No 
longer does the cavalry roam about the country, a 



120 

small, timid, liesit;itiii<r Harifl, hnt it now comprises 
three (Trand Division — Major-Geriprals Grkgg. Bi'- 
FORD and Kii.PATRKK — so well or^ranized and con- 
centrated as to he irresistible when nian<jenvred as it 
lias been since tlie Northern invasion. Tt would be 
utterly impossible tor me here to give yon any idea of 
<iur late doinjrs. but as soon as the commnnications are 
established with the North, watch for Kii.pateick's 
reports and the correspondence from tlii- command. 
Within three miles of Frederick City. General Stahl 
turned liis command over, and after a grand review of 
4,500 cavalry and G pieces of artillery by General 
Pi-EASOXTON (our chief) we were sent ott" on our mis- 
sion, which thus far has been a too laborious one to 
last much bmger. Out of the last seven days we 
have been engaged six in desperate fighting, and that, 
too, against infantry, which, though we have accom- 
plished our allotted task, we did it at the sacrifice of 
some of our noblest otiicers and men— our own regi- 
ment to-day (by rejiort) mustering ITiO fighting men, 
out of 350 who started out with u- t wo weeks ago : 
1 officer killed, 2 wounded and 6 missing— just think 
of it. It would seem silly to tell you of any hair- 
breadth escapes on my own part, but, father. I assure 
yon, never since my enlistment in this war, before, 
have I sat calmly upon my horse and resolved to tight 
and die honorably ; while others falli g thick and fast 
by ray side, onlv convinced me that life was of very 
little value. Yesterday we arrived at Hagerstown, 
and there awaited the Rebel Army in full retieat, 
anxious to save themselves by crossing- the Potomac. 
A mighty duty it was, a cruel fate that imposed it 
upon us, for cavalry to oppose infantry, artillery and 
cavalry who were fighting for life itself. After holding 
them in check for three hours, we were compelled to 
yield gradually, the only time thus far. as their forces, 
coming up rapidly, outnumbered us 5 to 1, at the least. 
A sad and stubborn withdrawal was ours Not to 
speak of other regiments which lost equally, ours lost 
that day 100 killed, wounded and missing. In my 
own snmpany two sergeants had horses knocked 
from under them by shell— one wounded, and how 
many of the missing ones are wounded remains to be 
seen ; but 1 only had three men after the fight — my 
own horse shot, and a bullet through my blanket, 
which was rolled behind my saddle, and a round shot 
striking so near me as to spatter the dirt upon me I 
have to be thankful that I was spared when so many 
fell. At the battle of Gettysburg we fought all day, 
and by keeping a whole division of the Rebels in 
check, decided the day in our favor; then swinigng 
around to the extreme left we cut our way throu-h 
the enemy, capturing his wagon train, 300 wagons and 



121 

1,500 prisoners of war, and gaining his rear, inflicted 
a paralyzing blow upon him, as to cause him to think 
again before his third attempt at invasion will be un- 
dertaken, etc., etc. I would write much more, but 
cannot. Your affectionate son, 

[Signed] A. B 



In Bivouac, Purcellville, Va., ] 
July 18, 1863. J 
My Dear Father: — Since the inauguration of the 
Pennsylvania and Maryland campaign, now four 
weeks ago, the cavalry have been so entirely engaged, 
and so constantly employed as to render letter writing 
next to an impossibility, though I have managed to 
write you once or twice. Did you ever receive any 
of them ? Contrary to its usual custom thus far, 
this division has halted for a day, from actual necessity, 
to rest and feed both our horses an<l men. Either to- 
night or to-morrow morning we will probably start 
after the enemy, as we are already close upon his 
heels, annojdng him, capturing his stragglers and 
wagon trains. Stuart is very cautious how he meets 
us now. We have high hopes and feel proud of our 
commanders, though they are killing us off at a feirful 
rate. Our force of cavalry is well concentrated and 
works in perfect unison. What do you think of our 
recent victories ? From what I have se^n myself. I 
should judge Lee retires to Richmond, or perhaps 
more correctly, to his own soil, with, at the least es- 
timate, 35,000 men less than when he invaded the 
North. I sincerely believe he is a badly whipped 
man, and a vigorous pursuit will go wonderfully to 
close the work so gallantly achieved by the Western 
forces. Our whole Army is in fine spirits, and Meade 
is pushing on well. Lee gave us the slip at Hagers- 
town ; but from all information and actual observa- 
tion, we thought he was preparing for a las', despt-r 
ate and final struggle ; for, from the Observatory on 
the Cemeterjr Hill, at Hagerstown. I saw, myself, 
these rebels distinctlj- working, like beavers, on the 
intrenchments. I even saw plainly the headquarters 
of General Longstreet through the powerful glasses 
of the ' Signal Corps." Meade was about to attack, 
when the news came that Lee was hurriedly crossing ; 
and on dashed Pleasonton, coming up with the rear 
brigade at Falling Waters, capturing nearly the whole 
of it. It was a desperate thing for the cavalry, 
without infantry support, to charge infantry behind 
redoubts, yet the order was given ; it was done, the 
charge was repulsed; it was repeated and successful, 
but then no one who witnessed that scene, even Joe 
Hooker, could say they never saw a dead cavalry- 
man, for their bodies strewed the ground. I could 



write pages on the scenes, incidents and almost daily 
desperate fighting of the past four weeks ; but it is 
useless now, as much more is to be accomplished. A 
man who would not fight in a Countr^y, where, in pass- 
ing through tlie towns and villages, the females, youth 
and aged, assemble to greet your arrival with baskets 
of f od, pitchers of water and wine, and shower all 
kinds of kindnesses upon you — is no man. Thus for 
the first time our men realized the difference between 
fighting on your own soil and that of the enemy, 
where everything is gall and bitterness before you. 
Here I must close, witli best love to you and all. I 
would like to hear from \'0u, as it is some time now 
since I have. In my hist letter I spoke to you about 
sending me some monej', as "paj' day" was passed 
last day of June, and no ''pay rolls" have gone in as 
yet, and cannot be sent m until we become settled in 
camp somewhere, where they can be made out. And 
when that time will come, no one now can fortell. It 
is impossible for an officer to live without some 
money, as "Uncle Sam" does not provide him with 
rations, and he must feed himself, besides the incon- 
venience. In the best of spirits and health, I remain, 
Your affectionate son, 
[Signed] Aug. Barker. 



VALEDICTORY. 



N. B. ^"i^^ I had much more information collect- 
ed, rather of interest, however, to individuals than 
to the public; but time did not permit for collation, 
and other reasons prevented its publication. There 
are many facts connected with the great civil war, 
which, while they are of vital interest to the proper 
comprehension of it, cannot, as yet, be given to the 
public without effecting individuals, as there are so 
many persons interested in deceiving the public and 
keeping them deceived. Several of the works on the 
Rebellion seem to have been artfully prepared with 
the view to prejudice public opinion ; others again 
hnve been spiced, if not animated, by personal ana- 
mosity ; 'envy, hatred, and all uncharitableness ; " 
others again >ire mere "Words, words, words!'' and 
pictures strung together. '• Sooner or later all will 
be made manifest " and then the American nation will 
learn how much it owes to its subordinate officers and 
private soldiers, and how comparatively little to its 
generals and political leaders. The Southern Leaders 
brought on the Rebellion, the Northern Peolpe 
crushed it, restored affairs and saved the country. 

.... Y.llJ V 
)'W!}'fi3 «9tbod 



ANNUAL REPORT 

OF THE 

mmm% service & discipline 



cc 



ULSTER aXT^RD. 



Twentieth Regiment New York State Militia, 

(80th N. Y. Vol. Infantry.) 

COMMANDED BY 

COLONEL THEODORE B. GATES, 

FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1862. 



iCompany A recruited almost-, if not altogether, in 
.."nuchess County, New York. Company B comprised 
25 volunteers from the First or Upper district of Red 
Hook, from the villages of Tivoli and Madalin and 
their vicinities. The names of these volunteers are 
designated by " T."l 



Jnnuari/ 1. — Regiment in camp at Upton's Hill, Va. 

Jd.miarii 12. — Regiment on picket for forty-eight 
hours in front of Falls Church, Va From this date 
until March 10 engaged in drill, forage, and picket 
d.ity. 

March 10 — Regiment marched at 6 a.m., with 
General Wadswortlrs Brigade, McDovvelTs Division, 
and bivouacked at G p. m., 10 miles from Upton Hill, 
and 2 miles east of Centreville. 

Mdrch 14. — Two Hundred and Twenty-two men 
under Captain Tappen marched to and bivouack- d on 
Bnll Run battle field 

March 15. — T is detachment marched from that 
bivouac, joined the regiment, and the entire command 
marched to " Three Mile Run," near Alexandiia, in a 
terrible storm of rdii, 17 miles. The detachment 
marched 25 miles. 

March IG. — ^Regiment marched to Upton's Hill, G 
miles. 

March 18. — Marched 2 miles below Baile^-'s Cross- 
Roads, and bivouacked with brigade. 

AprilA. — Regiment marched with General Patrick's 
Brigade, from camp near Bailey's Cross- Roads, at 3 
p. M., and bivouacked at 7 p. m., 2 miles south of An- 
nandale. Distance marched. G miles. 



April 0. — Regiment resumed its march at 8 a.m.. 
and marching through Fairfax Court-house and Cen- 
treville, crossed Bull Run, and bivouacked 1 mile south 
of Blackburn Ford. Distance marched, 15 miles. 

April 6. — Regiment continued its March at 8 a. m., 
and passing Manassas June ion. cro.ssed Broad Run, 
and encamped near Bristow Station, at 2 p. m. JJis- 
tance marched, 17 miles. 

April"- — A terrible storm of rain. snow. an<l sleet, 
ao-ainst which shelter-cents afford little protection, 
began to-day, and continued sixty hours, occasiouiug 
much suffering. 

Aprill'^- — Marched to Catlett Station. Distance, 
7 miles. 

April 18. — Regiment marched at (5 a m. ; obliged to 
leave forage, ammunition, and sundries on the ground 
for want of transportation, reaching a station 12 mlies 
north of Falmouth, in a storm of rain. Distance 
niii-ched IS 1-2 miles. 

April 19. — Marched at 7 a. m.. reaching the hdl 
side directly opposite and in front ot the City of 
Fredericksburg at 5 p. w., a distance of 14rail»s. The 
enemv have retreated after a little skirmishing, across 
the Rappahannock, burning the three bridges and a!) 
their shipping, including the notorious steamer ,SV. 
JVicholas, captured by the French Ladi/, Thomas. 
April 28. — Moved camp half a mile further soutli. 
May ^ — Three companies of this regiment, with 
two trom the Twenty-third and one from the Thirty- 
tifth N. Y. Volunteers, all under command of Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Theodore B. (lates, crossed the river at ■> 
P. M., and occupied the City of Fredericksburg. Va. 

Mai/ 10 — Regiment crossed the river at 8 o clock, 
p. M. marching to a point 1 1-2 miles l)eyond the City 
of Fredericksburg on the Telegraph Road to Rich- 
mond, where encamped. Dist .nee marched, H 1-2 
miles. 

May 11- At 3 p. m., the regiment was ordered, 

and moved some 2 miles down the Bowling (ireen 
Road, to repel a threatened attack of the enemy, un- 
der General Anderson, who was driving in a recon- 
noitring party, and advancing toward the city iu 
considerable ibrce. A few shots were tired, with a 
lo.ss of one horse on our side, when the enemy with- 
drew. 

Mai) 14. — Companies B, C, H. and <i, under Major 
Jacob B. Hardenborgh, on picket for twenty-four 
hours. 

^Pjy 17.— -Companies A, B, C, D. K. F. G. and K, 
reHeved Thirty-fifth N. V. Volunteers on jiicket for 
twenty-four hours. 

Mai/ 20. — Companies A, B, C, D. K, T, and 11, on 
picket for twenty-four hours. At U) o'clock, p. M. 



ailvanoed ouf picket line 1 mile, driviii}; in the enemy, 
and occupying- tlie Toll Gate on the Plank Road. 

4/,,^ 2:);— Companies B, C, D, E, F, G, and K, on 
pici<et for twenty-lonr hours. Enemy keeping up a 
brisk tire oft otir men at the Toll Gate. Jlegiment 
levievved by Piesuient Lincoln. 

.)/(/(/ 2(i.— Regiment marched with brigade at 3 
p. M., up the Telegraph Road to Masssaponix Creek, 
and eu'-auiped at 7 p. M., on the ground occupied by 
the enemy (the day before) under General Anderson. 
Distance marched, G miles. Companies C and (i, un- 
der Major Hardeubergh doing picket duty through the 
night. 

Mai/ 29. Reginunt marched at 12 m. to Hazel 
Run /joined brigade, and continued its March through 
FredeVicksl)urg, crossing the Rappahannock, through 
Falmouth, to a point (\ miles beyond. Bivouacked at 
y p. .M. Distance marched. 14 milen. 

May 30.- — Regiment marched with brigade at S 
A. M.. and after a very fatiguing march of 20 miles 
crossed Elk llun, and bivouacked at 7 p. .m. Frequent 
heavy rain storms. 

I/,',,/ ;',1. — Regiment marched at tt a. M , with brig- 
ade, crossed Cedar Run, and bivouaeked at Catlett 
Station, on Orange and Alexandria Railroad, awaiting 
cars to transport it to Front Royal, Va. Wagon 
train sent to Thoroughfare Gap by road rio llaymar- 
ket, accompanied by Co. 11 as escort. Heavy rain 
>torms during the night. 

Ji/Df: 2.— Regiment marched with brigade at 12 
.M.. Irom Catlett Station, Va., and bivouacked in a 
violent storm at (3 p. m. on the bank of Kettle Run, 
on the road to Haymarket. Distance marched 8 
miles. 

Jiine^j. — Regiment marched with brigade at 7 a. m., 
and crossing Broad Run reached Haymarket, a dis- 
tance of 5 miles. Marched 1 mile south, and en- 
camped near Bull Run. 

,y„„f (i. — Regiment marched with brigade at 8 
A. M., and crossing Broad Run and Cedar Run, passed 
through the villages of Buckland and New Baltimore, 
and encamped 11-2 miles nortli of Warrenton, Va. 
Distance marched, 12 miles. 

Jviie 8. — Regiment marched with brigade at 4 
p. .M , passed though Warrenton. and bivouacked at 7 
P. M.. I) miles beyond and 2 miles north of W^arrenton 
.Junction. Distance nuirched. miles. 

June 9. — liegiment marched with brigade at G a. m., 
passed tbrough Warrenton Junction, and encamped on 
the bank of Klk Run, at 11 a. m. Distance marched. 
G miles. 

June 13.— Marched with brigade at 3 p. M., crossed 
Elk Run, and encamped 4 miles south of Catlett Sta- 
tion at 5 p. M. Distance, 3 miles. 



JiDie 21. — Marched with brigade at 2 p. m., crossed 
Power Run, and encamped at (J p. m., 12 miles south 
of Fredericksburg, Va. Distance marched, 8 miles. 

J}me 24. — Regiment marched with brigade >:t Q> 
A. M., passed through Ilartwood and Fahnouth, reach- 
ing old camp opposite Fredericksburg at 2 p. m. Dis- 
tance marched, l3 miles. 

June 27. — Moved camp 2 miles back fnmi the riv<'r. 
Company C, Captain J. R. Tappen, ordered on special 
duty on the Railroad between Fredericksburg and 
Richmond. 

July 7. — Company C rejoined the rcgiinent. 

JiiJi/ 28. — Regiment marched from Camji two miles 
back from the Rappahannock, to and across the river 
to Fredericksburg, where it divided, the four right 
companies. A, C, II, and K, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Theodore B. Gates, marching to Mrs. Stanbury's 
hon.-e above Fredei'icksburg ; the rest of the regiment 
to near Mrs. Fennihoe's house below Fredericksburg. 
The regiment enclosed the city with a cordon of sen- 
tinels, preventing all communication with the interior. 
Distance marclied by right companies, five miles ; by 
rest of regiment, three miles. 

August 4. Right companies marched from Mrs. 
Stanbury's house Hud rejoined the regiment at 2 p. m. 

August 6. — Companies A, E. K, I, and C, two com- 
panies of Twenty- third New York Volunteers,! sec- 
tion of artillery, the whole under command of Colonel 
George W. I'ratt, marched on a reconiioissance toward 
Bowling Green at 6 p. m., in consequence of a report 
that the Rebels had taken possession of Hick's Hill, 
and returned at 3 a. m.. August 7, having march, d 17 
miles without seeing the enem>. 

Aitgust 7. — Regiment relieved from the da^y of pre- 
vent ng communication between the cit}' of Freder- 
icksburg and the interior, by the One Hundreth regi- 
ment Pennsjdv nia Yolunteers. 

August 8. - Companies B and D, six companies of 
Twenty-third New York Volunteers, four c(mipanies 
Thii-d Indiana cavalry, and a section of the First New 
Hampshire battery, under command of Colonel Pr'att, 
marched on a reconnoitring and foraging expedition 
at 7 P, M., to Round Oak Church, while Lieutenant- 
Colonel Gates with four companies of the Twentieth 
marched up the Telegraph Road toMassaponix Creek, 
the bridge o\er which was found to be on tire, but the 
enemy had fallen back. This detachment then march- 
ed across the country to the Bowling Green Road and 
joined Co onel Pratt. The entire force returned at 
• \\ A. M., August 9, baving marched 20 miles and cap- 
tured two ))risoners. 25 mules, 30 l.orses, and 50 head 
of cattle. 

August n. — Regiment miuched with brigade at 5 



p. M., to reenforce Genei'al Pope^ tLen engaged in bat- 
tle near Culpepper Court-bou^e, and bivouacked at 10 
p. M., on tlie Plank Road, 11 miles from Fredericks- 
burg. 

Aiif/itst 10. — Regiment marched with brigade at 5 
A. M.. crossed the Kapidan River at El3's Ford at 11 
A. >r.,and bivouacked at 4 p. m. at a point 4miles north- 
west, or that river near the road (roni Burnett's Ford 
of the Rappahannock. Distance marched. 14 miles. 

Aiif/iist 11.- Regiment, marched with division at 5 
A. M., and bivouacked in line of battle 3 miles from 
Culpepper (Jourt-house near battle-Held of Cedar 
Mountain, at 12 o'clock midnight. Distance marched, 
-22 miles. 

Aitf/iisf 13 — The enemy having retreated, the regi- 
ment marched with brigade 1 mile nearer Culpepper 
Court-house, where encamped. 

Aiiffiisf 1C>. — Regiment marched with division at 8.V 
A. M , to Cedar INIountain battle-field, and encamped at 
1 p M. Distance marched, miles. 

Aiifjiisf 18. — Orders to prepnre three days' rations, 
and to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice, 
were rec ived at 2 p. m. The baggage of the regiment 
was loaded immediately nd sent off. 

Aiif/i/st 19. — Regiment marched with division at 9 
A. M., and bivouacked at 11 p. M , 3 miles west of Rap- 
pahannock Station. Distance marched, 17 miles. 

Auf/ifst 20. — Regiment marched at 4 a. m., cro sed 
the river at the Station at 5i o'clock a. m. ; encamped 
in the afternoon 2 miles north of the Station, 1 mile 
east of the river. Marched, 5 miles. 

Avgnst'2l. — Were ordered forward to near the river 
at D A. M., to support Captain Reynolds' Battery L, 
First New York artilb ry ; and were there occupied 
during the day, the most of the time under a heavy 
fire from the enemy's batteries, and a part of the tim^ 
from his sharpshooters also. At night companies Dand 
G. under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gates, did 
picket duty along the river bank and at the crossing 
at Norman's Ford — the residue of the regiment, under 
Colonel Pratt, forming the reserve. 

[J, Watts DE Peyster, Jr., of Tivoli, Duchess Coun- 
ty, N. Y., 18f)5, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel N. Y.Vols., 
was Junior]\rajor of the First N. Y. Light Artillery.] 

Aiir/iisf 22, — Were relieved at 5 a. m., by Twenty- 
second Regiment New York Volunteers, and returned 
to camp, which proved to be in range of some of the 
enemy's guns. Our loss was Serg' ant Dopp, G com- 
pany, mortally wounded, and several others slightly. 

Augvst 23 -^Marched with brigade at 10 A. m.. and 
bivouacked at Warrenton, Va., at 8 p. m. Distance 
inarched. 12 miles. 

August 24. — Marched 2 miles beyond Warrenton, 
toward White Sulphur Springs, and encamped. 



Augn.st 26.— Regiment inarched iit ti (/i-lock for tlie 
Springs. As we approached them the enemy opened 
tirrt upon us from i wo guns planted near a larj^e yellow 
house on the ouposite side ul the river, (xaining the 
cover of the trees and buildings around the Springs, 
company C was deployed as skirmishers. Subsequently 
the regiment marched across an open plain, in full 
range of the enemy's lattery. and took up a position 
on the hill east of the river, and about one mile ti-oui 
the Springs The skirmishing continiie<l all day, 
with a loss on our part of two men wounde<l. Distance 
marched, 5 miles. 

AiigiiM 27. — Regiment nuuched from the Springs at 
12 M.,and bivouacked at midnight 8 miles beyond War- 
renton, on the road to Gainesville. Distf.nce marched, 
15 miles. 

August 28 — Regiment marched at a. .m. and 
reiiched a point on the CentreviUe rod 2 miles 
bevond O.a in ksville, when halted, while tiie roads and 
woods in front were reconnoitred by General Hatch's 
brigade, which, with General Gibbons, were in ad- 
vance. Tlie enemy were found in considerable fo'Ce, 
and a brisk engagement ensued. The regiment was 
ordered up to support the troops engaged, b'lt dark- 
ness put an end to the battle before it reached the 
fiel.l. Picketed roads the rest of the night. Dis- 
tance marched, 7 miles. 

August 29. — Marched at 2 a. m for Manassas 
Junction, whi h was reached about daylight. At 1C» 
A. M. were ordered back to yesterday's battle-tield, 
where the action had been renewed ;some ?> miles from 
Manassas, were ordered back, and returning to within 
1 mile of the latter place, filed to the left, and 
marching by the Sudley Ford road across a portion 
of the Bull Run battle-field, were posted in support 
of Reynolds' battery on the left of tiie road and 
about 1 mile from "Chin's house. About dusk were 
moved forward toward Groveton to support Hatch's 
brigade, which was engaged and likely to be turneil 
on the riglit; were withdrawn about ]0 p. .m., and 
posting a portion of the regiment with Reynolds' and 
Campbell's batteries, the residue were detailed for 
picket on the front under command ot Lieutenant- 
Colonel Gatks. 

■ MANASSAS OK Bll.l, III N SKfOMl. 

AuQiist 30. — Action opened by Campbell's batterx 
Regiment moved some mile ar d a half to the light of 
Siegel, where it remained untd 1 o'clock p. M., part ot 
the time under tire ; were then moved back to near 
Groveton, where the brigade was formed in two lines 
in the loUowing order: First line. Twenty-first N. 
y. Volunteers on the right. Thirty-fifth N. Y. Volun- 
teers on the left. Second line. Twentieth N Y. 



State Militia on the ri^lit, Twenty-third N. Y. Volun- 
teers on the iett. In this order advanced across au 
open field separating the right of our army from tlie 
enemy's left and entered the woods, near to and on the 
right of Groveton. Here the Fourteenth N. Y. IState 
Militia and Thirtieth N. Y. Volunteers were drawn 
up in one line; the\ formed on the right. The order 
was then gi^en to advance, and the three lines moved 
sl()wly forward, receiving the enemy's musketry, 
grape and canister, which increased as we advanced. 
The regiment advanced to within a few yards of the 
railmad embankment, behind which the enemy were 
poRte(i, wlien. a hirge proportion of officers and men 
being killed oi' wounded, the line fell back a few rods, 
closed up, advanced again witli the same result, and so 
fi-r the third time the eftbrt was made to rea- h the 
enemy behind his cover, but the tire was too heavy 
and the men had now become too few to give a hope 
of success. At this juncture an a de-de-camp rode 
up and delivered an order from General Porter for all 
the tn»ops to retire from the woods. This was 
obeyed in good order, the enemy following and tiring 
in liVavv vollevs. Colonel Pratt was mortally wounded 
earl}- in the action and borne from the tield. In the 
cour.se of the nigh I the regiment marched to Cub Run, 
where bivouacked. 

AugvM ;U.— Regiment marched at 4 a. m. to Cen- 
treville and joined brigade. 

CHANTIT.l.V MA.M)R-C;ENt;RAL K KA R N V KILLED. 

•■RF.FISING TO SL'RRENDEK." 

iSfipffmhir 1. — Marched at 3 a. m and proceeded to 
Fairfax Court-house; at 11 a. m. were ordered to re- 
turn to Centreville ; after marching some 2 miles, 
were counter-marched and proceeded out on the Brad- 
dock Koad, and were posted in line of battle behind 
works erected by the enemy heretofore to defend the 
approach to Fairfax and Centreville by that route. 
At 3 p. M. were ordered to proceed up the Little River 
Turnpike some 2 miles, and take possession of, and 
hold at all hazards, a piece of woods on the Iett of 
that road. The regiment reached the further ex- 
tremity of the woods as the enemy's skirmishers 
were rapidly approaching and within 150 yards of it. 
Firing was immediately commenced, an<i continued 
briskly for two hours. The enemy ran up within 
200 yards of the woods a mountain howitzer, sup- 
ported by a considerable body of cavalry, and opened 
a fire of grape ami canister. The sharpshooters of 
the regiment picked off several of the gunners, and 
the piece was withdrawn. Soon afterward the 
enemy opened with shot and shell from a gun posted 
by the roadside three fourths of a mile further up the 



turnpike. About 5 p. m., having been unable to effect 
a lodgment in the woods, the enemy retired, and firing 
ceased here, while, nearly at the same time, to the 
left and in front, a severe engagement opened between 
the troops of Generals Stevens and Kearny. At 10 
p. M. the regiment was relieved by the Ninetieth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Our loss was two officeis 
and twelve men wounded. 

September 2 — Rejoined the brigade at 8 a. m., and 
marching with it at 2 p. M., passed through Fairfax 
Court-house and Annandale, and reached Upton's 
Hill at 10 p. M. Distance marched. 13 miles. 

September 4. — Regiment marched to Falls Church to 
repel a demonstration of the enemy, who had planted 
some guns on Bassetc's Hill and driven in our cavalry. 
Did picket duty that night. Distance marched, 2 
miles. 

Soptemha^^- — Regiment returned to camp on Upton 
Hill at 1 p. M. Distance marched, 2 miles. 

Septeinher C. — Marched at 2 a. m., crossing the Aque- 
duct Bridge at Georgetown, and marched through 
Washington, D. C. to Leesboro Md., and bivouacked 
at 5 p. M. Distance marched, Ki miles. 

Septemher 8. — Marched with brigade 4 miles and 
bivouacked. 

Septemher 9 — Marched with brigade to M^chanics- 
ville. Distance, 9 miles 

Sejitemher 10.— Marched from Mechanicsville with 
brigade to the farm of a Mr Davis, 6 miles distant. 

Sepjtemher 11. — Marched with brignde through 
Lisbon to Newmarket, a distance of 15 miles. 

Septemher 12. — Marched with brigade to Monoc- 
acy Bridge and bivouacked. Distance marched. 12 
miles. 

SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

September 14. — Marched with brigade at 7 a. m. 
passing through Frederick City and Middietown. 
reaching Katocton Creek about 12 m. At about 2 
p. M. were ordered forward, and passing a short dis- 
tance beyond the creek on the Great Western Turn- 
pike, turned to the right, following an obscure road 
along the foot of South jNIountain for a mile and then 
turned to the left to support tiie Thirty-fifth N. Y. 
Volunteers, which was thrown forward md up the 
uiounlain side on the right of the turnpike as skir- 
mishers. The regiment was then deployed and fol- 
lowed the movement of the line of skirmishers, who 
advanced over the ridge of the mount on at that 
point and descended nearl}- to the turnpike. The 
skirmisliers were recalled, and the regi ent was 
ordered ti; join the Twenty-first N. Y. Volunteers, 
which was on the mountain side and about midway 
between the two roads crossing the mountain in front 



of Middletovvn. Forming on the lett of the Twenty- 
first, the two regiments advanced up the n'ountain 
side in line of battle, ]>receded by a line of skirmish- 
ers ; arriving at the crest of the mountain, the skir- 
mishers became engaged with the enemy. Soon 
afterward the two regiments pushed forward, and 
passing over the n.ountain crest at tiiis point, this 
regiment jiassed the line of skirmishers and poured a 
volley into the enemy vvho were lying behind a fence 
and in a cornfield. The action continued until some 
time after dark, when the firing ceased. 

Septemher 15. — At daylight it was discovered that 
the enemy had retired, leaving his dead and wounded 
on the field. The regiment then rejoined the brigade, 
and soon after resumed its march towai'd Boonesboro, 
at which place it bivouacked 2 miles further south, 
near Antietam Creek, at 6 p. m. Distance, 10 miles. 

ANTIETAM OR SHARPSBURG. 

Septemher 16. — Regiment marched with brigade at 
6 A. M., 3 miles toward Sharpsburg, Md., when the 
enemy opened fire upon us with his artillery from the 
heights above Sharpsbui-g, compelling the brigade to 
fall back about half a mile. During the morning it 
< hanged postion s veral times, and at 3 p. m. forded 
Antietam Creek and marched toward a road leading 
from Keedysville to the Williamsport road. On 
reaching the road the enemj'^ opened fire with his ar- 
tillery, compelling the regiment to pass through a 
shower of shell, grape and < anister to our position 
in a small piece of woods on the Williamsport road, 
which was reached at 8 p. m. Regiment slept on its 
arms to-night Distance marched, 9 miles. 

Septemher 17.— Regiment marched with brigade at 
6 A. M. in line of battle, deployed across the fields and 
through the woods on the left of the road until it 
reached a narrow meadow lot between an orchard 
and a cornfield, in the lattc of which the enemy were 
p(jsted, keeping up a brisk lire of musketry. On the 
road leading to the right and a little to the iront of 
this position, twci sections of Battery B, Capt-^in Camp- 
V)ell, were stationed be;;v.'eensome stacks of sK'aw and 
a barn and in range of the enemy sslia.-pshooters. The 
brigade cf'.ssed the road and moved toward the right. 
After crossing the road the reg'.ment was detached to 
support Battery B. which was said to be 'n great 
danger, and niovefl back at a double-quick, the r'ght 
wing taking position near the Battery, and the left 
wing, under Maj'>r .Jacob B. Ilardenberg'j, advanced 
along the road next to f'e cornfield Tl'e infantry 
fire was very he."vy during ali the time, commencirg 
near the cornfield a.id o^-er a knoll in front of the 
battery. Major Hardenbergh pushed forward down 
the road, driving the enemy from the fences and the 



edge of the cornfield, and in supportof the Sixth Wis 
consin Volunteers, which was on our left and in some 
disorder. For a time the en^ my were > onipletely 
driven from their cover, and in their fiijiiif. abandon- 
ing their battle fiag (the bearer being shot down by 
Private Isaac Thomas of G Company), which was 
brought off by Major Harrtenbergh. as was also the 
regimental color of the Sixth Wisconsin, which the}' 
had been compelled to leave cm the field. The Wis- 
consin regiment falling back and the enemy advancing 
strongly reenforced, Major Hardenberpih fell back 
with his small party to the right wing. The enemy 
advancing, apparently with the intention of taking 
the battery, and drove the gunners from their |)ieces 
for a time, but the steady fire of the regiment checked 
and drove them back until the other regiments ot tiie 
brigade reached the field to the right and in front, 
when the enemy were driven to the lett and his 
rear The batteiy being no longer of service there, it 
was removed to the hill on the left of the road. After 
remaining in position some half an hour longer, and 
no enemy appeHring, fell back to a piece of woods on 
the same side of the road and subsequently rejoined 
the brigade. Our loss was 49 killed and wounded. 
The regiment slept on its arms to-night. 

September 18. — In line of battle all da*, but the 
action was not renewed. Eiuleavored to remove some 
of our dead where we were engaged yesterd y. but 
the enemy's sharpshooters have the range of the field. 

September 19. — Regiment marched with brigade 
(the enemy have retreated) at 5i a. m. to the Wil- 
liamsport Road over the battle-field, and bivouacked 
in a wood half a mile northwest of the field. Distance 
marched, 2 miles. 

September 20. — Information of the death of Colonel 
G. W. Pratt having reached the regiment, the fol- 
lowing order was issued: 

HeADQI ARTERS. UlSTKK GlARD, ^ 

Tvi^ENTiKTH Reuiment, N. Y. 8. M., [■ 

Neak Sharpsburg, Va., September 20. 1862. ) 
General Orders No. 47 

It is with feelings of profound sori'ow thai the 
Lieutenant-Co onel commanding announces to the 
" Ulster Guard " the death of its late worthy and 
honored (Mmimander, Colonel George W. Pratt. 

While gallantly encouraging his officers and men in 
the final hour of the fearful combat at Manassas, on 
the 30th of August last, he was shot down and borne 
from the field. Though conscious of the serious 
character of his wounds, he maintained his liabitual 
serenity and cheerfulness and forgetting self, seemed 
only concerned for the safety of his command and the 



issue of tlie battlt' in winch lie liad horue so noble, 
and. as it proved, so costly a part. 

He was lenioved to Washinjitoii, and from thence to 
Albany, \. V., where, surrounded hy his kindred and 
friends, death terminated iiis career of usefulness and 
proujise on the 11th inst. Thou<>h cut down in the 
Spring of his nianliood, lie has not lived in vain. Born 
to wealth, and growinfi; up in affluence, he spurned the 
»'ase and indolence winch too often hejiuile fortune's 
favorites, and with an earnest energy ami tirele.-s 
industry, he sought to win for hinisell a n* me honor- 
able in the hijiliest walks of life. How well he suc;- 
ceeded, the general and deep sorrow for his early death 
attests. When tiie present nnhol}^ war broke out, he 
was loi-emost in tendering his services to the (Tt)vern- 
ment, and surrendering the comforts and enjoyments 
of a home unusually attractive, he became a patient, 
tireless and ilevoted laborer in behalf of the Union. 
Finally, he has given his I fe to the cause, and has died 
a soldiei'^s honored death in the faithful discharge of 
his self imposed duties. We who have been so long 
associated with him in the camp and field ; we who 
have shared with him the hardships, privations, 
fatigues and dangers of the soldier's life ; we who have 
witnessed his self-denial, his dauntless courage, his 
ready obedience to the authority of his military 
."superiors, and his mildness and moderation in the 
e.xercise of his own authority — we, next to those wlio 
are bereaved of husband, fiither, son, can best ap- 
preciate the loss sustained in the death of Colonel 
Pratt. Let us emulate his examples and be stimula- 
ted to increased diligence in duty, and a more entire 
devotion to our country and the struggle for ita 
preservation, by the recollection of his virtues and his 
sacrifices. The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding avails 
himself i>f this opportunity to express his satisfaction 
with the conduct of the officers and men of the regi- 
ment who participated in the marches and battles 
which have rendered memorable the last forty days 
of this campaign Within that time you have 
marcht'd ujiward of 170 miles, without tents or 
blankets, and often without food, in the burning beat 
of mid-day and the ■ old dews of night, resting fre- 
quently but four hours in twenty-four, and then upon 
the bare ground Therr has been no murmur or com- 
plaint, no relaxati(m of obedience or di.scipline. The 
battle fields of Norman's Ford. Warrenton Springs, 
Groveton, Manassas, Chantilly, South Mountain and 
Antietam. bear witness to your prowess and courage. 
Your coolness and steady bearing under heavy tire of 
artillery and musketry were equal to veterans, and 
entitle you to the highest praise the soldier can earn. 
Let the future correspond with the past in diligence, 



in discipline, in courage, and our friends will have no 
cause to blush for the reputation of the '-Ulster 
Guard." 

By order of Theodore B. Gates, 

Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. 
(Signed) A. S. Schutt, 

First Lieutenant, Acti. g Adjutant. 
Septanher 29. — Marched with brigade at 2^ p. m. 
to a point one mile north >^ est of Sharpsburg, near 
the Potomac River, where encamped. Distance 
marched, 1^ miles. 

October 7 — General Patrick having been assigned 
to duty at General McClellan's Headquarters, as 
Provost-Marshal-General of the Army of the Potomac, 
took leave of the brigade in the following order: 

Headquakters, Third Brigade, "j 

First Division, First Armv Corps, > 

Camp Barnett, October 7, 18G2. ) 

General Orders No. 64, 

The Brigadier-General commanding having been 
assigned t'> duty at the Headquarters of the Army of 
the Potomac by Gener 1 Orders No. 101, of the Gth 
inst., hereby relinquishes to Colonel Rodgers, of the 
Twenty-first N Y Volunteers, the command of the 
brigade he received from him 7 months ago. Only 
7 months ago he assumed command I yet the ties that 
bind those who, like ourselves, have shared each 
other's hardships and dangers, who have followed the 
same standar-. through so many battles, and gathered 
around it with th ir ranks thinned, but unbroken, 
when the combat was over — such ties cannot be 
broken by the orde that "I'elieves your General from 
the command. 

That he must continue to take the liveliest interest 
in the welfare of a brigade that has never failed in 
the hour of peril, whether in daylight or darkness, to 
honor his every command, no one can doubt ; and he 
trusts that both officers and men will touch lightly 
upon his faul s, in the full conviction that, as their 
commander, he has endeavored to discharge his duties 
to them to his country and his God. He leaves you 
with fervent wishes for yur prosperity, and the 
earne-t hope that an honorable peace may soon be 
won, so that w.e may once more return "i our own 
loveri liomes by the broad river.s and lakes of the 
Empire State. 

By order of General Pairick. 

(Signed) J. P. Kimbalt,, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Octoher 20. — Marched with brigade at 7 a. m. to 
Hagerstown Turnpike, up the pike about 2 miles, then 
taking a road to the left, passed tiirougli Bakers\ ille, 



xin 

and encamped about 1 mile beyond. Distance 
marched, 5 miles. 

Octoher 20.— Reo;iment marched at 8 p. m. through 
a drencbintr rain ; but the darkness compelled it to 
l)ivouac. Marched IJ miles. 

Octoher 27.- Regiment marched with brigade at G 
A. M., and pnssing through Keedysville, took the road 
leading to Crampton's Gap. Bivouacked at 4 p. m. 
Distance marched, 7 miles. 

Octoher 28. — Regiment marched with brigade at b\ 
p. M , crossed South Mountain at Crampton's Gap, 
passed through Burkettsville, and bivouacked at 3 p. 
M. 2 miles north of Berlin. Distance marched, 13 
miles. 

October -iO. — Regiment marched with brigade at G 
p. M., crossed Potomac River on a pontoon bridge at 
Berlin at 8 p. m., and bivouacked on the Baltimore 
and Leesbiirg Turnpike G miles from Berlin at 11 p. m. 
Marched 8 miles. 

Octoher 31. — M. relied with brigade at 3J p. m. 
toward Leesbtirg and bivouacked at 5 p. m. Distance 
marched, 2 miles. 

N^oconber 1. — Regiment marched with division at 
8^ A. M., passing through \Yheatlands, taking the 
Winchester and Leesburg Turnpike, and bivouacking 
near Purcellville at 3 p. m. Marched. 8 miles. 

November 3. — Regiment marched with division at 

I p. M. down the pike about 2 miles, turned to the 
left, passed through Union, and bivouacked at 8 p. m. 
Distance marched, 12 miles. 

Kovrmher 4. — Regiment marched with brigade at IJ 
p. M., passed through Bloomtield. and bivouacked 
half a mile beyond at 4^ o'clock. Distance marched, 
4J miles. 

November 5. — Marched with brigade at 8 a. m., and 
bivouacked 3 miles north of Salem at 8 p. m. Distance 
marched, 18 miles. 

November 6. — Regiment marched with brigade at 6 
A M.. passed through Salem (General McClellan's 
Headquarters), at 8 a. m., through Warrenton at 5 p. 
M., and encamped at 7 p. m. 1 mile below that place 
on the road lead ng to White Sulphur Springs. 

November 11. — Marched with brigade at 1 p. m., and 
bivouacked near Fayetteville at lOJ p. M. Distance 
marched, 5 miles. 

November 12. — Marched down the road leading to 
Nolan's Ford to do picket duty. Distance marched, 
3 miles. 

November 14. — Relieved from picket duty and 
returned to camp at 4 p. m. Distance marched 3 
miles. 

November 17. — Regiment marched with brigade at 

II A. M., and passing through Liberty, Bealtown and 



Morri. -.'ille, oivoiiacked at 9 p M. 2 miles ?outli of tbe 
latter place. Bisuince luarclied. 18 mile 

JSlovemher 18.— Marched with divisional 8 a. :.:., 
readied Hartwood at 2 p. ii., and taking liie road 
leadin|5 to k-''Vi:fibrd Cor.rt-ltouse, oivunacked at 7 p. M. 
Distr.nce marched, 10 miles. 

Novemhrr 19. — Marched with brigade at 8 am. 
(tbe oads in terrible condition), and bivoaaciced at 4 
p. M. Distance marched, 4 milep. 

November 20. — Marched at 8 a. m., h^if a mile and 
encamped. 

Novewber 22. — Marched at 3 p. m., and encamped an 
5 p. r.f., near the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Pure- 
mac Railroj'd, 1 mile southwest of Brook's .^r.-iiion. 
Distance marched. 4 mi es. 

Decanioer 9. — M..rched at noon tow.a-d rredericii*- 
burg, and bivouacked at 5 p. m. Distance marched 4 
mih'>. 

Dceem'x'r 10 — Marched with division at 9 a. rf. ; 
bivouacked at 1 p. M. Distance marched, ?> miles. 

December 11. — Marched wiili division at 8 a. m., 1 
mile, halted, stacked arms, and finally iiivouacked at 5 

p. M. 

December 12. — Marched with division at 7^ a m., to 
tie Rappahannock River; croNsed tiie river at 2 p. m., 
near the Arthur Bernard IIon>e. 2 miles below tfje city 
of Fredericksburg. Soon alter crossing the river the 
enemy f'pened fire with hi: nrtiilery. xMarclied out of 
range and l/uouacked. Distance marched. 3 miles. 

KRKDERIfKSBUUfi. FfllSl. 

Decernhnr 13. — At daylight tl>e brigade was tormed 
in line of b.-ittle This regiment and the Twenty-tirst 
New York Volunteers forming ti)e lirst ime, and ad- 
vanced to the lett and towai'd a wooded i-avine occu- 
'jied by the enemy. The enemy having in-en driven 
from this position the brigade cliai^ged direction to 
tiie right and marched under ft heavy tire oi the en- 
emy's artillery to tiie Bowling Gr*en lload, which 
WMs occupied by the first line. We rem:dned in tliis 
position about an hour and i.ntil th-- aUvance Lao 
been cliecked on the right, the enemy meanwhile 
pouring aconsiant shower of shot and hell irom their 
batteries, which were not more than live or six hun 
dred yards in front, when we were ordered at a double 
qiiick'townrd the right. We h;icl proceeded ntvout linit •. 
mile in this directicm when v>-e were countermarched 
and tooii up a position in a ravine to the reiir, and a 
I'.ttl" ^o the riL'' t of the positiiiii we hnd occi!;)ied in 
the Bowbn;: (ir^'ei Road, in supp()rt of smerssi batter- 
ies, which drew on us a heavy nre of artillery. .'"^O'.n 
a:'-er r aclirg this position (the enemy havinj; iliirin'.; 
our march to tiie right plnnted !, section o! j-rti'ler- 
on the road leading fnmi tiie Telegraph to the Bowling 



Green Il(iJi<l, and tlimwn forward tlit-ir .skiriuuslifrs 
wlu) severt'l; annoyed t)ur rannoniers). Company F, 
Captain Corhin, Company K, Captain Baldwin, and 
Conip ny A, Caplain McEntee, vv(^re dej)loyed n^ 
skirmisher?. They advanced rapidly mulei- a heavy 
tire from the enemy's skirmisliers ; drove them back, 
and took up a line in tlie Bowlinj;; fi een Road where 
they soon silenced the s ction ol artillery before men- 
tioned, killing sever 1 of the irimrers and three horses. 
Tliese companies remained in this posi ion until after 
daik, when tiiey were relieved i y the Twenty-thii'd 
Kegiiient New York ^'olunteers. At dark the reg:i- 
ment took ii|) a position one hundred yards to the 
right and rear, and rema ned there during tlie night, 
being treated in the early part of the evening 
to a copious discharge ot grape and canister. Atday- 
light the line advanced about tilty yards, and Com- 
pany H, Captain Les ie, and Company E, Captain 
Cornelius, were thrown lorward as skirmishers. They 
advanced, driving the enem}' back, and took a line by 
ordei of General Doubleday, extending from a group 
o! straw stacks to the Bowling Green Road. The tiring 
along this line was brisk and uninterrupted dur ng 
the wliole day. The ammunition of the companies 
having become exhausted, they were relieved about 4 
p. M., by Company II. Captain A. S Smith, and Com- 
pany C Captain Snyder. Captain Stnith was severely 
wounded while in the discharge of his duty. These 
companies remained on duly during the night. 

iJrcnnhi'r 15. — Company G. Captain Cunningham, 
and Company 1, Lieutenant Cook, relieved the above- 
named companies early in the morning, and in turn 
V ere relieved by Company K, Lieutenant Young. The 
yiicket diity along tins line was very stvere, as the 
line exteiuied over an open plain and the men were 
constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharp- 
r-liooters, which w:.s ketit up during the entire day 
and very frequently duriuii the night. 

DpA'fnibfi- 10. — Regiment recrossed the Rappahan- 
nock at Hi P. M. and encamped on the heights be- 
yond the pontooii bridge at 1 a. m., during a heavy 
storm of wimi and r:;iu. Distance marched, 5 Inile^. 

JJrccuiJ)) r 17. — Regiment marched at 9 a. m., to u 
point opposite Fiederi.-ksburg, and a short distance 
soutiieast of the I'aiUoad station at F;ilmouth, where 
encamped. Distance m;ircl!ed. 3 miles. 

Dcccmher 2^K — Marched at 9 A. M. Passed White 
Oak Church at 11 A. .M., and encamp-'d at 5 p. M., ui 
the bank o( Potomac River, three miles beU)w Poto 
mac Run. D'sta.r'e marched, \?> miles. 

December 23. — Regiment n;arched at 8 a. m., and en- 
camped near Hail's Landing, Va , at 1 p. M. Distance 
marched, 4miies. 



Deceviber 27. — Marched half a mile to a point north 
of Hall's Landing and occupied log huts erected b}- 
the enemy last Winter for troops stationed here to 
support a small redoubt, and a bastion fort, designed 
to command the mouth of Potomac Creek, and to ob- 
struct navigation on the river. Furnished daily de- 
tails for fatigue duty at Hall's Landing during the 
remainder of the year. 



ANNUAL REPORT 

OF THE 

KILLED AND WOUNDED IN ACTION 

OP THE 

Twentieth Regiment New York State Militia, 

COMMANDED BY 

COLONEL THEODORE B. GATES, 

For the Year ending December 31, 18G2. 



Georg W. Pratt, Colonel, August 30, Manassas. 

Joseph Wells, Company G, P ivate, August 30, 
Manassas, Ya. 

J. P. Bloom, G, Private, August 30, Manassas, 

Michael Oats, G, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

Andrew J. Smith, T, Private, August 30, jNIanassas 

James Mc Adams, I, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Edwin Miles, F, Sergeant, September 17 Antietam, 
Md. 

Thomas Price. K, Private, September 17, Antietam. 

William H. Knowles, C, Private, August 30, Ma- 
nassas, Ya. 

Wesley Shutlis, D, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Jeremiah Towues, I), Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Stephen Van. Yelsen, D, Private, August 30, Ma- 
nassas. 

Michael Coffee, D, Private. August 30. Manassas. 

.John H. Davis, D, I'rivate, August 30 Manassas. 

James P. Colligan, F, Corporal, August 30, Ma- 



Hugh Wallace, F, Private, August. 30, Mannssas 

Bernard Garrety, F, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Milton A. Smith, B, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas, 

(T) Alfred Lasher, B, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas. 

(T) Geo. H. Kelly, B, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

( I ) Lewis Redder, B^ Private, August 30, Manassas. 

(T) John Stewart, B, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

(T) Rufus Warringer, B, Private. August 30. Manas- 
sas. (Error — Antietani or Sharpsburg, 17th Sept.) 

Adam Bishop, E. Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Miles Anderson, E, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

II. Goldsmith, E Corporal, August 30, Manassats. 

James M. Almy, H, First Sergeant, August 30, 
Manassas. 

H. L Pollock, H, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Patrick Sweeny, K, Private. August 30, Manassas, 
Va. 

H. M. Judd, K, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

William R. Dopp, G, Sergeant, August 21,No.'man's 
Ford. 

Samuel J. White, D, Private, December 17, Freder- 
icksburg. 

John P. Post, F, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Peter P. Plass, I, Private, September 17, Antietam. 
_M. H. Svvarthout, H, Second Lieutenant, September 
17, Antietam. 

John R. Horner, K, First Lieutenant, August 30, 
Manassas, Ya. 

WOUNDED. 

Pelatiah Ward, Captain, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

J. Rudolph Tappen, Captain, August 30. Manass»s. 

Abram S. Smith, Captain, August 30, Manassas. 

A. N. Baldwin, Captain, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Daniel McMahon, Captain, September 1, Chantilly. 
Va. 

Abram S. Smith, Captain. December 13, Fredericks- 
burg. 

W. II. Cunningham, Captain, December 13, Freder- 
icksburg. 

Philip Deits, Second Lieutenant, August 30, Ma- 
nas-as. 

Edward McMahon, First Lieutenant, August 30, 
Manassas. 

Henry Clarke. Second Lieutei ant, August 30, Ma- 
nassas. 

O. A. Campbell, Second Lieutenant, September 17, 
Antietam, Md. 

George North, jun.. Second Lieutenant, September 
1, Chantilly, Va. 



J. M. Van Valkenburg, Second Lieutenant. August 
80, Manassas. 

J D. France, Second Lientenant. August 30. Ma- 
nassas. 

Nicholas Hrynadt, First Lieutenant, August 80. 
Minassas. 

James Smith. Second Lieutenant. August 30, Ma- 
nassas. 

G. H. Brankstone, First Lieutenant. December 13. 
Fredericksburg. 

Edward S. Bennett, Sergeant, August 21, Xi)rnian .s 
Ford. 

Amos Travis, Corporal, September 17. Antietam, 
Md. 

Henry Williamson. Corporal, September 1, Cban- 
tilly, Va. 

Jacob Cook, Privat<\ September 17. Antietam, Md. 

John M. Crapser, Private. August 30. ^Linass .s, 
Vm. 

James Dykensan, Private, September 1, Chantilly. 

Abram C. Halstead, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Russel C. Harris, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Michael Kilroy, Private, December 13. Fredericks- 
burg. 

John R.Morgan, Private. December 13, Fredericks- 
burg. 

Una S. Payne, Private, September 1, Chantilly. 

Aaron Rhodes, Private, September 17, Antietam. 

Charles H. Williams. Private, August 30. Ma- 
nassas. 

Henry Williamson. Sergeant, December 13. Freder- 
icksburg. 

William A. Ingram, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas. 

John Stewart, Private, xVugust 3)0, Manassas. 

Edward Babcock, Private, August 30, Manas.sas. 

Philip Deits, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas. 

(T) Frederick Obermier. Sergeant, August 30. Ma- 
nassas. 

Michael Speedling, Corporal, August 30. Manassas. 

Andrew Yaple, Corpoi'al, August 30, Manassas. 

(T) Oswald Decker, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

Thomas W. Francisco, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

(T) Theodore Garr^^on, Private. August 30. Manas- 
sas. 

Howard Joy, Private August 21. Nornian's Ford. 

John .loy. Private, September 17, Antietam, Md. 

Lewis [jamoyai'd Private, December 14. Fredericks- 
burs, Va. 

Isaac Lawrence, Piivate, September 17, Antietam 
Md. 

(T) Charles K. McNiff, Piivate, December 14. Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. 

(T) Adam Moore, Private, August 21. Norman's 
Ford. 



I 



Michael O'Doniiell, Private, September 18, Au- 
tietaiii. Mil. 

\ Henry Ploiiuii, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 
Williiwn ]\(>senljerger, Private, August oO Manassas. 

Michael O'Donnell, Private, August 30, Manassas. 
Cvrastus H. Beits, First Sergeant, August 30, 
Manassas. 

William Bates, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Jolii> Knowies, Private, August 30, M .nassas. 

George Van Loan. Private, August 30, Matiassas. 

George (4. Martin, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

William Knapp, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Philip l»illou. Private, August. 30, Manassas. 

Spencer Dtderick, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

.John Edieman, Private, August 30, Mana.ssas. 

Henry Rose, Private, September 17. Antietani, Md. 

George H. Bainard, Private, September, 17, An- 
tietam. 

Ten Evck (). France, Private, December 13, Freder- 
icksburg, Va. 

Patrick Granev, Sergeant, September 17, Antietani, 
Md. 

Ilalsev Davis, Corporal, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

Isaac E Rosa, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

1). P. Wiiittaker, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Dubois Markle, Corporal, September, 1, Chantilly. 

George Brown, Corporal, August 30, Mana-sas. 

.John Connery, Corporal, Septemi er IT, Antietam, 
Md. 

Richard Burger, Priv te, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

David S. Bell, Private. August 30, Manassas. 

Albert Collier, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Kbbin Higgins, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

George Hinckley, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Lorenzo Kibby, Private, August, 30, Manassas. 

S. H. Lee, Private, September 1, Chantilly. 

•lacob P Lattimore, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

George Moore, Private, .\ugust 26, Warrenton 
Springs. 

J. M. Ostrander, Private, December 13, Fredericks- 
burg. 

Conrad Smith, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Wat.son A. Smith, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Peter Sparling, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Bealy Taylor, P ivate, August 30, Manassas 

William Van Scoit, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Stephen Van Velsan, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Michael Huger, Private, August 30, Man .ssas. 

Hugh Donahngh, Private, August, 30, Mana.ssas, 

George H. Brankstone, First Sergeant, December, 
14, Fredericksburg. 

H H. Terwelliger, Sergeant, August 30, Manas.sas. 

Thomas Wallace, Sergeant, December 14, Freder- 
iok,>burg. 



William Freeman, Sergeant, August, 26, Warrenton 
Springs. 

James W. Wiielpley, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

David II. Welch, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Miles Anderson, Corporal, August 30, Manassas 

George G. Barlow, Corporal, August 30, Manassas, 

George P. Sanders, Corporal, December 15, Fred«r- 
icksburg. 

Ephraira Turner. Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Melvin Atkins, Private, Sept 'mber, 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

James Beers, Private, September 17, Antietam, Va 

Andrew Carney, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Nicholas Cooper, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

Martin J. Deponia, Private, August 26 Warrenton 
Springs. 

Alvin A. TIauschildt, Private, August 30, Manassas. 
Vir.uiniii. 

James Ilausfaldt, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Henry H. Legg, Private, September 17, Antietam. 
Md. 

Samuel McCune, Private December 13, Fredericks- 
burg, Va. 

Lewis Payne, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Russcl Powell, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

John Swhab, Sergeant, August 3, Fredericksburs:. 

Calvin Sheely, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Eugene F. Thorpe, Private, August 30, Manassas, 
Va. 

Thomas J. Conlon, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas. 

James F. Collig-m, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Peter Foley, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

James R. Burke, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

James Costello, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Thomas Doyle, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

James Fitzgerald, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Bernard Gerrety, Private, August. 30, Mana-sas. 

Martin Jones, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John Kelly, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Valentine Lundly. Private, Augus' 30, Manassas. 

John Luft, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John Masterson, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

William Mayer, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Philip Post, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

George Patterson, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John Pratt, Private. August 30, Manassas 

Andrew Sweeny, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Cassander W rner. Private, August 30, Manasses. 

Hugh Wallace, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

William J. Miiler, Private. August 30, Manassas. 



Patrick Melia, Tiivate, August 30, Manassas. 

•lolin Tubman Corporal, September 17, Antietam, 
.M(l. 

•J. M. Countryman, Private, Septemhor 17, Antietam. 

James Green, Private September 17, Antietam. 

Tlioiuas Mciiboy, Private, September 17, Antietam. 

Pati-ick Nolan, Private, Sep ember 17, Antietam. 

Edvvanl Nolan, Private, September 17, Antietam. 

.John B. Barry, Private, September 17, Antietam. 

•James Smith, Fi st Sergeant, August oO, MrtUassas, 
Va. 

R. II. Barrett, Sergeant, August ^'0, Manassa.s. 

H. R. Dopp. Sergeant, August Lil. Norman's Ford. 

Geoi-ge Butler, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

William F Smith, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

.James Iliggins, Corporal August 30, Manassas. 

II S Hanunonil, Corporal, September 17, Antietam, 
.M.l. 

Jolm W. Tolland, Corporal, September 17. Antietam. 

VViiliau\ C. Allen. Private, September, 17, An- 
tietam. 

P. S. Angle, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

Albiner Fiero, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Cliauneey Hogeboom, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John Ilaynes, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
M<1. 

Stephen Ivnapp,Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

James A Lewis, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Joseph Bell, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

William B. Rose, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

P. II. Wagner, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Edward Rogers, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

Isaac Cleaver, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Wellington Butler, Private. August 30, Manassas, 
Virginia. 

Albino West, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

George L. Hughson, Private, September 17, An- 
tietam, Md. 

Lewis H. Wilklow, Sergeant, August 30, Mamssas, 
Virginia. 

George B. Coyle, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

J cob J. Conway. Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Charles Bergher, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

James H. Bunto, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Thomas C. France, Private August 3U, Mana.ssas. 

John Ilaggerty, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

James Rafferty, Private, August 30, Manassas, Va. 

William H. Reynolds, Private, August 30, Manas- 
sas. 

William Rosa, Private, August 30, Manassas. 



Jolin Sullivan, Privatn, Augusi oO, Manassas. 

Frederick Tuothill, Private, August W. Manassas. 

James Van Elten, Private, August. oO, Manassas. 

John Van Gaasbecii, Private, August 3U, Manassas. 

Aaron Woolsey, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Morris Hein, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Edwin Bruce, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Edward Higliam, Private, August 30, Alanassas. 

Apollus B. Fink, Private, August 30. Manassas. 

James Mulvehill, Private, August 30. Alanassas. 

M. J. C. Woodworth. First Sergeant, Septeniher 17, 
Antietam, Md. 

Michael Farrell, Sergeant, December 14, Fredericks- 
burg, Va. 

Francis Clark, Sergeant, August 30, Manassas. 

Henr}' M. Herring, Corporal, September 17, Antie- 
tam, Md. 

.r(».eph Leonard, Corporal, August 30, Mana.->as. Va. 

lieorge Ro.-sman, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Jordan A. Sickler, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Michael Caughlan, Corporal, Augu.st 30, Manassas. 

Jnmes Brady, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Romeyn Beach, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John Camaton, Private, August 26, Warrenton 
Springs. 

Hezekiab Caile, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Myer Devall, Private, August 30 Manassas. 

Barney Fitch, Private, .August 30, Manassas. 

William L. Hanson, Private. December 13, Fred- 
ericksburg. 

Patrick Moran, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John McKain, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Edward ]\IcAdams, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

John O. Brien, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

George W. Peet, Sergeant, December 13, Fredericks- 
burg. 

Peter S. Carle, Corporal, August 30, Manassas, 

Henry J. Newell, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Joseph Hill, Sergeant, September 1, Chautilly. 

John B Brush, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

John W. Bradt, Private, August, .30, Manassas. Ta. 

Amos J. Carle, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Benjamin W. Dutcher, Private, August 30, Manft.s«a8. 

Maynard Decker, Corporal, August 30, Manassas. 

Robert Drummond, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Daniel Greenwood, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

Constant C. Hanks, Private, August 30, Manassas. 
Va. 

James Hooks, Private, December 13, Fredericks- 
burg. 

Charles Hansell, Private, September 1, Chantilly. 



Willi.-uu H:ipen\vanl, Private, September 1, Chan- 
til Iv. 

Dennis .hnid, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Henry M. •)utl<l. T'rivate, August 30, Manassas. 

Horatio Lord Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Joim 11. Pieioe, Private, September 1, Chantilly. 

John Proper, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

Edward L Sealy. Private, September 14, South 
Mountain, Md. 

Henry Schutt Private, August 30, Manassas, Ya. 

Hiram Travis. Private, August 21, Norman's Ford. 

William Winegard, Private, August 30, Manassas. 

MISSIMG. 

And ew Dile, Company I, Sergeant, August SU, 
Manassas, Va. 

John Tracy. I, Private. August 30, Manassas. 

Hugh Burns, H, Private, September 17, Antietam, 
Md. 

George Woolsey. C. August 30, Manassas, Va. 

(Signed) Thiodore B Gates, 

Colonel Commanding Regiment. 
(Signed) J. M. Schoonmaker, Adjutant. 
Headquarters Twentieth Regiment New York Statu 
Militia, Aquia Creek, February 1, 1863 



MOVEMENTS AND SERVICK 

OF THE 

"ULSTER aXJARD," 

Twentieth Eegiment New York State Militia^ 

For thk Year ending DRCEMiiEU 31, [SCt?, 



January 1. — In camp with Third Brigade, First 
Division, First Corps, at Hall's Landing, month of 
|*otoini\c Cieek, Va., doing fatiffne duty. 

January 7. — Trans'erred from the First coi'ps and 
placed in a provisional hiigade, under c<,)nimand of 
Brigadier-General M. R. Patrick. Provost-Marshal- 
General, by Special Orders No. 6, Headquarters Army 
of the Potomac. 

January 10.— Embarked on steamboat, Rocldand at 
8 A. M. and debarked at Aquia Creek, Va. at 10 a. m 
an') proceeded up the Potomac, Fredericksburg and 
Richmond Railroad, establishing guard posts to Pott)- 
mac River Station Headquarters of the regiment at 
Brook's Station. 

J'inna.ry 21. — Marched to Aquia Creek Landing 
to do gU'rd duty. Encamped near the Landing. 
Distance marched, 6 miles. 

January ^'2. — One company placed on picket duty 
along the Potomac River from Aquia to Potomac 
Creek. A sergeant and ten men on dut3'at Liverpool 
Point, Md.. opposite Aquia Creek. The residue ot 
the regiment doing guard duty at the Landing 

February 10 — Moved <amp to a hill nearer the 
river. 

April 29. — Marched from Aquia Creek to Brook's 
Station, G miles ; establishing guard posts along the 
river and garrisoning the field works at Accocac 
Creek, and (He du pont at Potomac Creek. 

CHANCEM.ORSVILLE, OR FREDER ICKSKURG SECOND, 
APRIL 30 — MAY 6. 

May 9. — B Compan}- proceeded from Brook's Sta- 
tion to AVashiiigton D. C, by rail and boat, to 
perform provost duty on Government wharf. Dis- 
tance, 02 miles. 

May 13. — B Company returned to Brook's Station 
from 'Washington by rail an I boat. Distance, 62 
miles. 



Mail IT). — Headiiuarters moved from Brook's Sta- 
tion to Falmoutli Station, 9 miles. Companies A, B, 
E and H moved to Falmoutli Station. C Company 
stationed at Brook's Station ; 1) Company at Potomac 
Creek Station; E, 1, F and K Companies at Aquia 
Cieek ; G Company at Stonem«n's switch — all perform- 
ing provost duty. 

May 16. — D Company moved from I'otomac Cieik 
to II "adqiiarters Arn.y of the Potomac, o miles. 

Mai/l'i- — K ;<nd I Companies moved from Aquia 
Creek to Headquarters Army of the Potomac. Fif- 
teen miles. 

Mai/ IS — E Company moved from Falmoutli Sta- 
tion to Headquarters Arm\ of tiie Potomac. Two 
miles. 

Mai/ 30. — C, D,'E, I and K Companies, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Hardenbergli, marched 
to Belle Phiin. Va., to perform Provost duty. Seven 
miles. 

June 14. — The different detachments of the regi- 
ment united at Aquia Creek — fifteen miles — at 12 M. 
and reported to Brigadier- General G K. W-arrkn. At 
?) r. M. moved bv rail to Potou ac Crc k, to garrison 
field works perform picket duty and remove Govern- 
ment property. Nine miles. 

June 15.— Marched at 7 a. m. to Brook's Station, 
where remained doing picket duty and protecting the 
removal of Government property until V2 Jt.. when, 
all being removed, proceeded by rail to near Aquia 
Creek, and garrisoned Forts Nos. 1 and 2. Eigiitu iles. 
At bout o p. M. a detachmeni under command of 
Major W. A. Van Rensselaer, proceeded on a recon- 
noissance bv rail to Potomac Creek Station, and le- 
tiirned at 5 p. ji. Sixteen miles. 

J'fijic 1(1.. — ]\Iarched at 4 p. m. to Aquia Creek, and 
embarked on steamer Hero, and debarked at Alex- 
andria. Va., on the 17th. at G a. m. the next morning, 
forty-fivi miles, and marched to Soldier's Rest, where 
breakra>ted, wlien marcbei to the edge of the city, 
and bivouacked. Marched at 5 p. m. through Alex- 
andria, across tlie Long Bridj^e through Washington, 
to the Soldier's Home, where remained during the 
night. E ght miles. 

Jina' IS. — Marched at 5 a. m. through Washington 
and Georgetown, over the Washington Aqueduct to 
near the Great Falls of the Potomac, where bivotiacked 
at 7 p. M. Sixteen miles. 

J„„(. 19.— Marched at G a. m. to Great Falls of 
Ptitomac, where embarked on Canal Boats on Chesa- 
peake and Ohio ( anal, and debarked at Seneca, and 
marching through Poolesville bivouacked at 5 p. m.. 
a short distance beyond ; twenty-four miles. 

./»HC 20. — Marched at 8 a. m. to the mouth of the 



Monocacy, where encamped. Six miles. Reginunt 
engaged m performing picket duty along the Potomac 
River, and protecting Aqueduct of Chesapeake and 
Ohio Canal, over the Monocacy River. 

June 22. — Marched at 3 p. m. to Edward's Ferry, 
where encamped at 9 p. m. Eleven miles. While 
here performed provost and guard duty. 

June 27. — Relieved by the One Hundred and Tenth 
Regiment Penn. Volunteers, and ordered to join 
First Corps. Marched at 10 a. m. to the Monocacy, 
crossing that liver over the Aqueduct, and bivouacked 
at G p ji. four miles be3^ond. Thirteen miles. 

June28. — Marched at 5 a. m., crossing the Katoch- 
ton Mountains at Katochton's Pass, passed through 
Adamstown and Jefferson, and proceeded to near 
Middletown, where, learning that the-First Corps liad 
gone to Frederick, the regiment took a by road and 
recro=ised the Katochton Mountains at New Pass, and 
bivouacked at 8 p. M. Sixteen miles. 

June 29. — Marched at 6 A. m., and passing through 
Frederick and Lewistown bivouacked at 5 p. m. on 
Emmittsburg Pike. Sixteen miles. 

June 30. — Marched at 4 a. m. and reached Emmitts- 
burg at 12 M., where halted, and reported the ar- 
rival to Major-Geneial Reynolds, commanding First 
Corps, where received orders to join Third Division 
under command of Major-General Doublkdav. On 
joining the division, were assigned to the First 
Brigade then on picket. Eighteen miles. 

GETTYSBURG. 

JuJij 1. — Marched at 8 A. M. with brigade toward 
(Jettysburg, Pa., and reached a position near the 
enemy about a mile and a half west of (Jettysburg, 
when the brigade was immediately forn)cd in line of 
battle faced due north, this regiment holding the left. 
'J'he brigade was soon afterward moved by the right 
ilank some half a mile to the souttieast. and a new 
line of battle formed, faced to the west. In this posi- 
ti(m it advanced through ihe open tields into a valley, 
and to the edge of a piece of woods, where for a time 
the fire of the enemy's artillery and musketry was 
quite heavy. Shortly afterward it was ordered to 
return over the crest of a hill, in the chared Held, 
where the men were somewhat protected. While in 
this position a company of this regiment (K) was 
ordered to advance, as skirmisheis, to a brick house 
and st(me barn opposite the left tiank, and some eighth of 
a mile in front just across the valley beiore referred 
to. At about 1 H. M. the brigade moved by the left Ihnik 
into the Gettysburg road, when this regiment ami 
the One Hundred "and Fifty-first Penn. Volunteers 
formed line of battle, faced to the north. During this 
(diau'-e of front the artillery fire of the enemy was 



severe. At 2 1-2 p. m. tbe line was advanced across 
the field, and Iront changed to the left, until it re- 
sumed the third position of the forenoon. This move- 
ment was made under a warm artillery fire. The 
enemy soon afterward, with two very strong lines of in- 
fantry, and driving in the skirmishers (which had some 
time before V^een reenforced 03" G ccnnpany of this 
regiment), moved rapidly on our lines. Their lines 
extended the front of two regiments heyond our left 
flank, completely entilading our line, and pouring a 
teirible fire into our front and left Hank. The regi- 
ment held itsposition until the artillery was removed, 
and then fell back slowly behind a barricade of rails, 
some eighth of a mile in their rear, and in front of 
Gettysburg Seminary, the enemy following rapidly 
in great force. Here the men were rallied, and formed 
beiiind the barricade, and checked the enemy's ad- 
vance, and finally compelled him to retire. He ad- 
vanced again, however, and prolonging his line to our 
left again turned our flank and compelled the regiment 
to I'etire. They fell back through tiie town of Gettys- 
burg to the high ground south of the cemetery. In 
retiring from the barricade, and until they had reached 
the interior of the city, they were under fire of the 
enemy's infantry upon their rear and both fianks. 

July 2. — At 11 A. M. the regiment was relieved and 
passed to the rear for supplies and rest. In the after- 
noon were thrown forward again as part of the forces 
to check tlie enemy, who was causing our left to retire. 
When the lighting ceased, they were assigned to the 
flout line, a little to the left of the centre of our line 
of battle. This regiment, with the One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Penn. Volunteers forming a demi-brigade 
under the command of Colonel Gates, were put in posi- 
tion behind a rail fence, which they converted into a 
barricade, that afterward afforded some securit}^ 
against the enemy's sharp-shooters, and proved of 
special benefit the next day during the artiller}' and 
musketry fire. [William Swinton's ''Army of the 
Potomac" — see Text and Note, page 3G0. J 

fhd)l o — At \2h p. M., the enemy opened from his 
right and centre batteries, and the position occupied 
b\' this regiment was swept by a tempest 01 shell and 
shot which continued nearly three hours, unsurpassed 
ill rapidity of firing and in the number of guns em- 
ployed by anything that has occurred during the war. 
As the cannonading subsided the enetny's infantry 
began to debouch from the orchard and woods on his 
right centre, and moved in line of battle across tbe 
open fields between their position nnd the highway 
from Gettysburg to Emmittsi>urg. His troops were 
formed in two lines ; the second line, however, not 
covering the left battalion of the first. They advanced 



rapidly, firina' as they came, tmi skiiniislu-is falliiiir 
back before tlieni. The regiment opened fire upon 
them wlien they reached tlie further end of the valley 
in front of them, and the first line immediately faced to 
the left 'nd moved i-apidly in the new direction ; as the 
second line received the fire it began to oblique to the 
left, and finally closed its left upon the right of the 
first line when all faced to the right and moved forward 
in one line of battle, tiring rapiclly. Tt being perceived 
that the design was to break throu<ih our left centre 
and gain the heights and batteries, crowning them be- 
tw en the road sweeping around the lelt of the Cemetery 
and tlie open fields between the enemy's line and ours ; 
tlie demi-brigade was moved by the right flank toward 
our centre, corresponding with the enemy's movements, 
and pouring a continuous tire int(» tlieir ranks as they 
advanced. The enemy moved forward with unusual 
deieiuiiiritinn. and, althougli his rank.^ were luonicn- 
taiiiy thinned, continued to advance until he reached 
the fence at thy foot of the hill, immediately beneath 
our left centre batteries ; this affording him consider- 
able protection, he threw some of his fierce over the 
fence and into the slashing on the iiill-side. made to 
clear the range for our guns. The contest for the 
possession of this hill side and ence was especially 
obstinate, and for a considerable time the chances of 
success appeared to favor first one side and then the 
other ; each seemed to appreciate the fact that the 
posses>ion of the heiglits was all important, and each 
li>ught with the utmost desperation. The men wert; 
within quarter pistol shot range, and the fence and 
fallen trees gave tlie enemy considerable cover. The 
deuii-brigade then advanced and pushed briskl}' 
tlirouuh the slashing to the fence, cheering as they 
went, when the en<'my broke and hastily retreated in 
great disorder, while they poured into hi lines a heavy 
and continuous fire. This concluded the tinhtinc; at 
this point, and left us in umlisputed possession of tiie 
ctintested ground. We ti)ok a large number of ))ristin- 
ers, and the giound in front was>trewn with th(( dea<l 
and wounded of the enemy. During this almoNt hand- 
to-hand contiict the enemy's batteries played upon 
friend and foe alike, doing quite as much damage in 
their own ranks as in ours. It was ascertained from 
the prisoners that the troops with which the two re- 
gnnents had been engaged wer Pickett's Division of 
Longst eet's Corps, and more than six times out 
num ered them. At G p. m., the regiment was re- 
lieved and passed to the rear ; bivouacked on the 
battle-liehl. j\Iajor-(reneral Doubleday i.ssued the 
followni'i- order : 



Hf.adqi ahtkrs, Thikd Division, } 

First ("(iups. July 4. 1S()3. <^ 
(it'iieral Orders. 

The Major-Geiieral coinmandin^- the division desires 
to return his thanks to tlie Vermont Briijade, the One 
Hundred and Filty-tirst Pensylvania Volunteers, and 
the Twentieth New York State IMilitia, (or their gal- 
lant conduct in resisriug in the trout line the main 
attack of the enemy upon this position, alter sustain- 
ing a territic fire frotu seventy-five to a hundred pieces 
ot' ariillerv. He congratulates them upon contributing 
so e^sentially to ihe glorious, and it is to be hoped, 
final victory yesterday 

Bv command of Major-(ieneral Doubleday. 
(Signed) Edavaud C. Baird, 

Captain and A. A. (i. 
,/»/// (3. — Marched at 7 A. Jt., with t e first _corps. 
and bivouacked near Kmmittsbnrg, Md.. at 7 p m. 
'J'en miles. 

Jiih/ 7. — Marched at ii A. M., and passing over the 
Katochton Mountains, back of Lewistown l)ivouacked 
beyond Hamburg on the uortMerly side ot the moun- 
tain at about 7 p. m. Twenty-two miles. 

JiiJ}/ 8.— Marched at 5 A. M., through Belleville, 
Middietown, and crossing South Mountain at Turner's 
Gap, formed n line of battle on north side, where bar- 
ricades were thrown up. Fourteen miles. 

JuJij 10. — Marched at 5J- A. M., through Boonsboro, 
to right of our lines, and then threw up barricades. 
Five miles. 

JiiJi/ 11. — Moved to the extreme right U' der the 
Uiountain and threw up entrenchments, putting out 
pickets in tnmt. 

JttJy 12.— Marched at 11 A. M., passing through 
Funkstown and crossing Antietam Creek took up a 
p.jsitionon Funkstown Heights, (me mile south of 
Hagerstown, and threw up entrenchments under fire 
ol the enemy's pickets. Five miles. 

Jiih/ 13.— Laid in line of battle all day. Shirmishers 
pretty active in front. Our line of battle in range of 
enemy's sharpshooters. 

JitJij 14.- Men aroused at 4i a. m., and got under 
arms preparatory to an attack. Skirmishers advanced 
and found the enemy's works abandoned. Marched at 
12 M., to near Williamsport, and bivouacked at 3 p. m. 
Five miles. 

Jiih/ 15. — Marched at 6 a. m., vi^ Williamsport and 
Hagerstown Pike to Funkstown, and thence through 
Joues Corners. Keedysville and Bakersvilie to foot of 
South Mountain and bivouacked at 7 p. m., near Cramp- 
ton's Crap. Eighteen miles 

Jiifii lii— Marched at 9 a.m., and crossing South 
Mountain at Crampton's (i;!]) bivouacked at 4 p. m., 



near Berlin. Nine miles. At this place the regiment 
was detached from the First Corps and ordered to re- 
])ort to Brigadier General AI. R.Patrick, Provost- 
Marshal General, for duty in his Department. 

Jidy 17. — Two lieutenants and thirty men I'liniileft 
at headquarters, Provost-Marshal General, the regi- 
ment took the cars for Washington as guard for 725 
prisoners of war. 

Jul}/ 18. — Beached there at G a. m., next da)'. 

Juiy 20. — Returned to Berlin, and crossing the Poto- 
mac, marched ten miles to AVheatland, Ya., where 
bivouacked. 

Jidii 21. — Marched at G a. m., and joined army head- 
quarters near Union, Va., at 1 p. m. Ten miles. 

Juh/ 22. — Marched to De anys Farm and camped. 
Five miles. 

Juhi 23. — Marched at 8 a. m., with General Iload- 
qii;nters and bivouacked near Markham at G p. m. 
Twent}-rwo miles. 

Jnhi 24. — Marched at 12 m., and bivouMcked at 7 
p. M., at Salem. Fourteen miles. 

July 25. — Marched at a. m., and camped at G p. m., 
in Warrenton. Twelve miles. Regiment doing pro- 
vost duty in this town. 

JuJy 27. — Relieved by the One Hundred and Thir- 
tieth New York Yolunteers. 

July 29. — Companies C and G proceeded b}' rail to 
Warrenton Junction, Ya., to do provost duty. Ten 
miles. 

Jidji 31. — K company ordered to guard Commissary 
Depot. Three miles. 

August 11. — Broke camp at 6 a. m., and moved by 
rail to Warrenton Junction to do provost duty. Ten 
miles. 

SejJtcmher 17. — Moved by rail to Culpepper Court- 
house to do provost duty in that town. Twenty -two 
miles. 

Octnhcr 10. — Marched at 4 a. ji.. and bivouacked at 
Rappahannock Station at G p. m. 

Octohcr 11.— Marched at 6 \. m.. toBealton Station. 
Four miles. 

October 12.— Marched to Catlett's Station, ten 
miles, where did picket duty at night. 

Octoher 13. — Marched at 6 a. h., for Fairfax Sta- 
tion. Twenty-one miles. General Headquarters train 
being attacked by guerrillas, the regiment mjirclied 
out to protect it, and then returned to Station. Four 
miles. 

October 14 — Proceeded by rail to Washington as 
guard for 3J^2 prisoners of war. Twenty-four miles. 

October l^i. — Returned b3wail to Fairfax Station. 
I'wenty-four miles. 

October 21. — Marched at 10 a. m., through Centre- 



ville across Bull Run und L'ub Hun and bivouacked at 
G p. M , at Gainesville. TwontA'-one miles. 

Octohcr 22. Marchet] at 7 a. m., and camped at 
Warrenton, Va., at 1 p. M. Tw^elve miles, 

October 20. — B company ordered to JManassas to do 
provost duty. Twenty-four miles. 

October 27. — Marched at 8 a. m., with General 
Headquarters to Auburn. Six miles. 

October 30. — Marched at 10 a. m., to Three Mile 
Station. Six miles. 

Novemher 2. — Marched to Warrenton Junction. 
Three miles. 

Nove7nber9. — Mov. d by rail as guard to l,886prison- 
ers of war to Alexandria. Thirty-two miles. 

Novemher 10. — Returned by rail to Warrenton 
Junction. Thirty-two miles. 

November 19. — Moved by rail to Brandy Station. 
Sixteen miles. 

Novei)iber2<j. — Marched at 12 M.,and bivouacked at 
8 p. M., near Germania Ford on the Rapidan River. 
T<-n miles. 

November 27. — Marched at 7 a. m. Crossed the 
Rapidan River at Germania Ford, and bivouacked at 
the Lacy House on Orange and Fredericksburg Pike at 
7 p. M Ten miles. 

November 28, — Marched at 7 a m., to near Robers- 
ton's Tavern, whei-e enc imped. Four miles. 

December 1. — JMarched at 3 p. m., recrossed the Rap- 
idan River at Germania Ford and bivouacked at 8 
p. M. Ten miles. 

Decemher 2. — Marche^l at 7 a. m., and encamped at 
Brandy Station at 2 p. m. Eight miles. 

Decemher 24. — B company moved bj' rail to Catlett's 
Station and Manassas, and A company to Rappahan- 
nock Station and Warrenton Junction, to do provost 
duty. 

Decemher 26. — E company moved by rail to Culpep- 
per Court-houf'e Station to do provost duty. 

Decemher 29. — Two commissioned officers and two 
non-commissioned officers and thirty men, detailed as 
permanent guard on passenger trains, running between 
Brandy Station and Washington, D. C. 

DecemJ)er 31. — Headquarters of Regiment at Brandy 
Station, Va.. doing duty as above stated. 



LIST OF 

KILLED AND WOUNDED 



OF THE 



"ULSTER GMJ^RD," 

Twentieth Regiment New York State Militia, 

For the Yeak knding December 31, liSG3. 



KILLED. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Joseph F. Corbin, Company F, Captain, (Jettvs- 
burg. Pa. 

Ainbi-use N. Baldwin, K, Captain; Gettysbta-g-. 

George H. Brankstone, E, First Lieutenant, Gettys- 
burg. 

ENLISTED MEN. 

Theodore AVheeler, Company A, Corporal, Gettys- 
burg, Pa. 

Duane S. Bush, A, Private, Gettysburg. 

Henry Belcher. A, Private, Gettysburg. 

Charles C. Babcock A, Private. Gettysburg. 

Francis I Lee, A, Private, Gettysburg. 

Dewitt C. Ham in. A, Private, Gettysburg. 

Ephraim Rosa, B, Private, Gettysburg. 

James Craig, C. vSergeant, Gettysburg. 

Constantine Van Steinbui'g. C, Private, Gettys- 
burg. 

Edward Coogan, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

Walter S. Tvler, C, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Luther W. McClellan, D, S« rgean't. (}etty>burg. 

Ebbin HiLJgins, I), Private, GettyNbiirg. 

R. C. Van Leavin, D. Private, Gettysbuig. 

Amos C. Treat, D, Private, Gettysburg. 

Albert Collier. I),- Private, GettN'sb rg. 

Alexander Tice, E, Piivate, Get ysburg, 

Leonard Van Jorder, E, Private Gettysburg. 

John Luft, F, Private. Gettysburg. 

Lucius H. Decker, G, Sergeant, Gett\sl)urg. 

James L. Ilallock, II, Private, Gettysl)uig. 

•James E. x\ngevine, H, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Eli A. Degrnf. H, drporal. Gettysbuig. 



Ansol B. Pierce, H, Private, Gettysburg. 
Joseph Leonard, I, Corporal, Gettysburg. 
John Tnicy, I, Private, Gettysburg. 
Thomas Hyatt, T. Private, Gettysburg. 
Minard Decker, K, Sergeant. Gettysburg. 
Nelson Southard, K, Private, Gettysburg. 
George H. Babcock, E, Private, Gettysburg. 
Squir. Flanders, 1, Private, Gettysburg. 

WOUNDED. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

W. A. Van Rensselaer, Major, Gettysburg. 

J. M. Schoonniaker, Adjutant, Gettysburg. 

John R. Leslie, Company B, Captain, Gettys- 
burg. 

Andrew S. Schutt, C, First Lieutenant, Gettys- 
burg. 

James Flemming, C, Second Lieutenant, Gettys" 

l)urg. 

Daniel McMahon, D, Captain, Gettysburg. 

George B. Wolcott, D, Second Lieutenant, Gettys- 
burg. 

Abm. Merritt, E, Second Lieutenant, Gettysburg. 

John Delacroy, F, Second Lieutenant, Gettysburg. 

William H. Cunningham, G, Captain, Gettysburg. 

George B. Mulks, G, First Lieutenant, Gettysburg. 

Thomas Alexander, H. Captain, Gettysburg 

Alfred Tanner, H, Second Lieutenant, Gettysburg. 

J. D. S. C. ok, I, Captain, Gettysburg. 

John M. Young, K, Second Lieutenant, Gettys- 
burg. 

ENLISTED MEN. 

John Boyle, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

James Gannon, C, Private. Gettysburg. 

George A. Ackert, C, Private, Gettysburgh. 

John Edleman, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

Thomas Wells, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

George W. Pardee, C, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Joseph Shelightner, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

John H. Dunn, C, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Jeremiah Kerrigan, C, Private, Gettysburg. 

Jonathan Dubois, C, Private, G-ttysburg. 

Abm. K. Van Buskirk, C, Private, Gettyst.urg. 

William Baker, A, Private, Gettysburg. 

James E. Doxie, A, Private. Gettysburg. 

John Donnelly. A, Privatr Gettysburj . 

.John Ridings,' Jr.. A, S';rgean», Gettysburg. 

(T) William A. S ockings, A, Private, Gettysburg. 

(T) Wansborough Bloxam, B, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Frank Bowman, B, Private, Gettysburg. 

Isaac C. Buswell, B, First Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

(T) Morgan Deneger, B, Private, Gettysburg. 



James Keegan, B, Private, Gettys' me:. 

(T) Charles K McKniff, B, Corporal, Gottysbiirg. 

(T) Adam More, B, Private, Getty ^hurg•. 

William llisenberger, Jr., B, Corporal. Gettysburg. 

John II. Swart, B, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Jacob F. Teal, B, Private, Gettysburg. 

n. C. Van Buren, B, Private, Gettysburg. 

James Yaple, B, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

James A. Wescott, B, Private, Gettysburg. 

Asa Bishop, D, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

John Cudney, D. Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Charles Kniffin, D. Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Jacob P. Latimore, D, Private, Gettysburg. 

Martin Jerseneous, D, Private, Gettysburg. 

Dewitt Rose, I), Private, Gettysburg. 

Watson A. Smith, D, Sergeant. Gettysburg. 

Lewis E. Champaigne, E, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Stephen L. Cudney, E. Sergeant Gettysburg. 

William Fetterman, E, Private, Gettysburg. 

Lorenzo B. Healy, E, Private, Gettysburg. 

James Housf\ill, E, Private, Gettysburg. 

Henry O. Irwin, E. Private, Gettysburg. 

John Johnson, E, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Lewis Snyder, E. Private, Gettysburg. 

Emos B. Vail, E, Private, Gettysburg, 

John H. Winise, G, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

James Higgins, G, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

John C. Parks, G, Private, Gettysburg. 

Peter H. Van Wagoner, G, Private, Gettysburg 

John Ovendorf, H, Corporal. Gettysburg. 

William L Snyder, H, Private, Gettysburg. 

Joseph Sickler, H. Private, Gettysburg. 

Morris Hein, H, Private, Gettysburg. 

William Fuller, I, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

William Henson, I, Private, Gettysburg. 

James Larrie, I, Private, Gettysburg. 

John W. Plimly, I. Private, Gettysburg. 

Henry Tompkins, I, Private, Gettysburg. 

Edward Wright, I, Private, Gettysburg. 

Michael Farrell, I, Sergeant, Gettysliurg. 

Moses Whittaker, I, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Barney Fitch, I, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

George Rossman, I, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Jehiel I. Judd, K, First Sergeant. Gettysburg. 

John Chandler, K, Corporal, Gettysburg. 

Addison S. Hayes, K, Private, Gettysburg. 

George Hood, K, Private, Gettysburg. 

Joseph Hill, K, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 

Henry Schutt, K, Private, Get'ysburg. 

Bernard Halstead, G, Private, Gettysburg. 

N. Van Valkenberg, G, Private, Gettysburg. 

Charles C. Babcock, A, Private, Gettysburg. 

James II. Beletier, .\, Private, Gett3'sburg. 



Samuel Norfolk, E, Private, Gettysburg. 
William H. Parkinson, I, Private, Gettysburg. 
David E. Post, I. Private, Gettysburg 
Emerson Scott, T, Private, Gettysburg- 
Ira B. Tait, D, Private, Gettysburg. 
Aaron Nichols, H, Private, Gettysburg. 
A. Mullen, F. First Sergeant, Gettysburg. 
E. Beckett, P", Sergeant, Gettysburg. 
Ed. Ashley, F, Private, Gettysburg. 
J. E. Pells, F, Private, Gettysburg. 
T. Doyle. F, Private, Gettysburg. 
I. Burns, ¥, Private, Gett3^sburg, 
John Knighton, B, Private, Gettysburg. 
Asa Jones, D, Sergeant, Gettysburg 
Charles Keegan, A, Private, Gettysburg. 
John Swart, 1, Corporal, Gettysburg. 
N. Rossman, I, Private, Gettysburg. 
James Bonesteel, G, Sergeant, Gettysburg. 
T. Croaks. F, Private, Gettysburg. 
Stephen Strong, I, Private, Gettysburg. 
AVilliam Schaffer, G, Private, Gettj'sburg. 



ANNUAL REPORT 

OF THE 

MOVEMENTS, SERVICE & DISCIPLINE 

OF THE 

Twentieth Eegiment New York State Militia 
"ULSTER aXJ-AUD/' 

(80th N. Y. Vol. Infantry.) 

COMMANDED BY 

COLONEL THEODORE B. GATES. 

FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31. 1864. 



Janvar}! 1. — Encamped at Brandy Station, Va., 
with officers and detachments at every Station along 
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, from Alexan- 
dria to Culpepper Court-house (hoth inclusive), act- 
ing as Provost Marshals and Guards ; and one compa- 
ny at Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, as guard 
for the Provost-Marshal-General. From this time to 
May 4th, the Regiment was engaged in doing provost 
and guard duty on and along the Orange and Alexan- 
dria Railroad, having charge of all mail, passenger 
and special trains run on that road ; the granting of 
pa«.«es to all persons leaving the army ; nnd to all 
civilians to pass from one part of the Army to an- 
other ; the registering of all civilians connng to the 
Array; the examination and general superintendence 
of all goods coming into the Army ; and the convoy- 
ing of all prisoners from the Army to other places 
throughout the United States. 

Fehruanj 13. — Colonel Theodore B. Gates, Sur- 
geon R. LouGHRAN, Captains J. D. S. Cook, M. Sny- 
der. Dan'l McMahon, Lieutenants D. J. France. M. 
J. C. WooDWORTii, J. Deits, and 101 enlisted men 
left Brandy Station, Va., on 35 days' Veteran Fur- 
lough, and arrived at Kingston, N. Y., on the 15th, 
wliere they were publicly received by nn immense 
concourse of citizens, and after addresses of welcome, 
the battalion sat down to a bounteous dinner pro- 
vided by the ladies, whose presence graced the occa- 
sion. 

Fehruanj 17. — The officers visited ti;c City of 



Alhatiti and were i vit«(l to scats on the floor of the 
Asscniljly Chamber. On takingseats they were address- 
ed by Mr. Speak kr Ai.voud in patriotic and eonipli- 
nientary terms. He said the regiinent was one of the 
old militia regiments of the State — from the good old 
county of Ulster. Thrice had they laid themselves 
upon the altar of their country. Their lamented 
comrades slept upon many a Wf-ll- fought battle-lield. 
Their former Colonel — Geo. W. Pr.^tt — fell in the 
second battle of Bu 1 Run. As for the third time 
they go forth, God grant to preserve their lives in 
safety and to return them once more to our State. 

Colonel Gates replied as follows: "Mr. Speaker 
and Gentlemen of the Assembly: I know not in 
what language to express to j'ou the gratification we 
feel for the honor you linve conferred upon the Twen- 
tieth Regiment N. Y. S. M. in inviting its officers to 
the privileges of the floor of this House. We came 
to Albany to-day, sir, on business of solemn import. 
We cami! here to pay, in the first place, our respects 
to the Governor of the State, the Commander-in- 
Chief of the forces of the State of New York, and in 
the second place to tender to the widow of our de- 
ceased Colonel the compliment of a presentation 
of a stand of colors of our regiment to her infant son, 
— the son of our ever-lamented Colonel. Knowing that 
we should be detained here till evening, we determin- 
ed to come to the Assembly Chamber to witness the 
proceedings that miglir take place, hut we had no ex- 
l)ectation that we should be honored with the compli- 
ment of seats upon the floor. 

"In behalf of the officers here, sir — in behalf of the 
regiment I have the honor to command, T thank you, 
sir; and I thank the members of the Assembly for 
the honor they have conferred upon us. The Twen- 
tieth Regiment is a regiment of the Militia of the 
State of New York. On the breaking out of the 
lebellion they tendered their services to the Governor 
of the State of New York, and through him to the 
President, of the United States, and were accepted. 
They marched from Kt'iir/ston, in Ulster County, on 
the '20th April, 1861, for three months' service. At 
the expiration of that time they returned and were 
mustered out of service, but were mustered in again 
and marched in October, 1861, for tlie war. 

"I feel it due that I should say to you, sir, and to 
the members of the Assembly, that the regiment has 
been faithful to the trust confided to it ; that it lias 
continued in the service up to the present time; that 
now we come back from the fieUl of duty for a brief 
recreation only to return again to the defence of the 
Government, there to remain until the war shall close. 
The men I now have the honor to command in the place 



of the former Colonel, Geo. W. Pratt, whose racinor}- 
is sacred to us, and T believe to tlie people of the 
entire State— Geo. W. Pratt, who was one of the 
principal men in perfecting the militia orj^anization 
of the State of New York; whose liear'. was in the 
work which he took in hand; whose patriotism was 
above party and above everything except tlie welfare 
of his country. On his dt-arh 'he regiment was as 
signed to me, and I have endeavored to be faithful to 
the trust confided in me. I endeavored to follow in 
the footsteps of my prodec ssor, ard T only Jiope. sir, 
that when this war is terminated, if 1 shall live to 
see its conclusion, that T may bear as good a reputa- 
tion for the faithful discharge of my dutj' as an officer 
in the service of my country, as Colonel Pkatt him- 
self had. 

" The regiment having passed through its three 
months, having re-enlisted for three years, and having 
served two and a half years of that term, has now 
availed itself of the offer extended to it to re enlist 
for three years more. The regiment feels that the 
great duty now devolving upon every man able to 
bear arms is to fight this war out to the end. Tiiey 
feel, sir, that nothing is paramonnt to the duty that 
love of country, of government, of human liberty, de- 
volves upon them 

•' Now, sir, in conclusion. I beg again to thank yen 
and the members of this House, for the compliment 
you have paid us, and I Iiope and ti-nst that yon may 
never have cause to blush that you invited the officers 
of the Twentieth N. Y. S. M. to seats upon this fioor." 

Fehi'uari) 22. — The battalion, accompanied by a 
large delegation of citizens of Ulster county, ])ro- 
ceeded to Albany, to present to Master Geo. S. Pratt, 
son of the late Colonel Geo. W. Pratt, the old regi- 
mental flag carried by the regiment when Colonel 
PuATT was mortally wounded at Bull Run Arriving 
at Albany tlie battalion was drawn up in front of 
Mrs. Pratt's residence, where His E.xcelkncy, Gov. 
Seymour, attended by his staff in uniform, and a large 
number of citizens were assembled. 

Colonel Gates, speaking in behalf of his resriment 
after alluding to the high-toned and uns{)otted char- 
acter of the deceased, said that "sev^n years ago, the 
officers of the battalion induced him ro accept the 
office of Colonel. At that time the militia of 
the State was in anything l>ut a desirable 
condition, and the Twentieth was small in numbers ; 
but it was not long alter Colonel Pratt took com- 
mand before it reached proportions that none had 
au'icipated, and occupied a position second to but 
few in the State. He was among the first to tender 
his services and his legiment to the country whea 



shu necMleil soliliers, and Lis gall.-intr}', his uniform 
kindness and l;oroio example on all occasions, inspired 
his men with a lastinsi- adniiration lor him. Our love 
for his memory — our respect for his family — bring us 
hern to-rlay. We come from the Ijattle-lield, wliere 
we have left many a comrade, to tender to his son one 
of the tattered banners under which his noble father 
fell. When the Rebellion broke out. Colonel Pratt 
was one of the very iirst to tender his retjiment. It 
seemed as though every missile hurled against Fort 
Sumter shook and thrilled his fragile frame, and, if 
possible, filled him with a deeper love for his country. 
It seemed as though he felt that he could make no 
sacrifices too creat in aid of his countrv. against this 
unholy Rebellion. On the 26th of April, 1861, the 
regiment marched to the seat of warnearly one thou- 
sand strong Tt had then enlisted for three months, 
and after serving that term faithfully, returned home, 
re-organized, and again enlisted, this time for three 
vears and again under the lead of their favorite 
Colonel ; an(l it was fated that our beloved and heroic 
commander should fall in the defence of his country, 
lie received his fatal wound in the second Bull Run 
battle. Always kind, always generous, always good 
and noble. I cannot (said Colonel G.) depict the grief 
of the regiment on learning of their loss. He has 
gone to his long rest, and knowing him as well as I 
did, I cannot doubt but that his rest is both peaceful 
and happv. We feel that his life was closed all too 
.•ioon. We know that it was not lived or lost in vain ; 
and it should be, as it is, I believe, our study and 
hope to emuhite his example, to the end that when 
peace is restored to country, and the majesty of our 
the law is again supreme, wc may enjoy a portion of 
the gen /ral respect, which was so largely his share and 
which is now paid his memory In behalf of the 
regiment (ad(bessing the boy), officers and men, and 
the men not less than the officers, I present you this 
battle-flag. Its wounds were received when your 
n^tiier fell. When it was presented to the regiment, 
he pledged himself that it should ever be religiously 
defended. It has no marks of dishonor. All its scars 
are honorable, and we believe that it will be beloved 
and held sacred by you, as it has been and is by us, 
for the sake of tbe'meinory of your deceased father." 

Master Pratt said, in reply : " I thank the Twen- 
tieth regim nt for these colors. I thank them for 
remembering my father. Iwill try and be as good and 
brave a man as he was " 

GovERNOE Seymour, responding for Master Pratt, 
said: " Soldiers of the TwentietJi Militia, on behalf 
of a sorrowing and stricken father, on behalf of a 
mourning family — and speaking for the orphiu chil- 



dren — I tliank you for this manifostation of love for 
the memory of one who (listiiiguished himself as your 
leader. Tliey will treasure up this sad iiieiuentu as 
among thi-ir most precious gifts. We have watched 
the history and course of every regiment that has left 
our State, with anxiety as well as with pride, and 
none have challenged greater admiratu/n than your 
regiment. How many of your comrades have lost 
their lives, your diminished numbers tell in hmguage 
more eloquent than words can utter ; and let me as- 
sure 3'ou tliat in the future there will he one house- 
hold where you will ever be remembered with mourn- 
ful interest; one family that will always feel the 
deepest interest in your career and welfare ; one house 
where it will be felt t* at, between it and your organ- 
ization, a new relation exists. This banner will be 
dearly cherished by him into whose hands you have 
placed it today. It will speak to him of the spotless 
character of his father — of his virtues, and ot the love 
borne him for those virtues by his comrades in arms ; 
and God grant th«t he may emulate the example thus 
set him." 

" Once more I thank }-ou for this evidence of devo- 
tion to the memory of your late commander — for the 
generous, manly, soldierly affection that has led you 
to manifest, in this delicate way, your continued re- 
gard for his memorj', and the respect that you enter- 
tain for his family; and I again assure you that your 
invaluable gift will ever be tnost dearly prized — that 
there is one family where your happiness will be a 
source of solicitude — one family where everything 
that relates to your regiment will be of fireside in- 
terest." 

Subsequently the officers were entertained at Mrs. 
Pratt's house, and the men, as the guests of Mrs. 
Pratt, sat down to a sumptuous dinner at the Amer- 
ican Hotel. While there. Master Erasti's Corning, 
son of E. Corning, Jr., and a nephew of the late Co - 
onel Pratt, made his appearance among them, and 
presented each of the men with a tract, evidently to 
their great pleasure. Soon after 4 o'clock, the battal- 
ion took the cars for Kingston. Master Pratt, with 
numerous others, accompanied them across the river, 
and as the cars left thej' gave him rounds of cheers. 

During the time the battalion was at home 140 re- 
cruits were added to the regiment. 

March 18. — The battalion, with its recruits, was 
drawn up in line, preparatory to its departure for the 
Army, when Mrs. Albert Kugler, through Hon. 
Gko. T. Pierck, presented a beautiful silk color to the 
regiment. 

Mr. Pierce spoke a.s follows: ''Colonel Gate?, 
oflBcers and men of the Twentieth : I am honored by 



xli 

being luaJe the instrument of your fellow-eitizen, Mr. 
Klcjlf.r and his g.iotl wife, in pre.sentiiig you this 
beautiful stand uf colors — the work of their hands. 
Mr. KuGLER was formerly a member of your regiment, 
who went out in the three months service, nnd re- 
turning would have gone again, but was advised by his 
commandant that perhaps duty to an invalid wife and 
to his family, demanded that he should remain at 
Lome. But chating under his an.xiety to serve liis 
countr}', he determined to make due amends ft)r his 
inability to go with you to the field. And his wife, 
desiring to make s^ome slight compensation to the regi- 
ment lor permitting her husb.nd to remain at home, 
they have acted accordingly, and this magnificent flag, 
which I now present you, is the result. AV'ould to God 
that every man and woman in the community would 
feel thus ill at ease with themselves, until they had 
done something half as noble for their country, in this 
trying crisis of its existence. But our German fellow- 
citizens have generally been loyal to the old Ug, from 
the very commencement of our troubles— have kept 
the Star of the Republic st- ady in their eyes, and have 
not permitted party or personal considerations to di- 
vert their attention or detract from their devotion to 
one country — one Union — one destiny." 

'• Yon have just returned, Colonel, from visiting the 
shrine of your late commandant. Colonel Pratt, 
where yon went to present to his wido:v and father- 
less son, the remnant of the battle-flag which you 
carried with you for two years past. It was an offer- 
ing well and worthil}' made. But it was this circum- 
stance which suggested to ]\Ir. Kugi.er that 3 ou would 
now stand in need of another flag. You have it; and 
ni view of the record which you have brought back 
from the war already, and of the deeds which 3-0U 
have performed on the Held, and which are known if 
all men. it would be presuu ptuous in me to charge 
)-ou to keep that emblem sacred, and never permit it 
to be desecrated or disgraced. When borne aloft at 
the head of your columns, let each man remember it 
is no mere ornament there, but that it represents the 
sovereignty of the nation, and the majesty of thirty 
millions of people. And as it proved a scourge and a 
terror to tyrants in the hands of jour fathers, so may 
it prove a scourge -.nd a terror to traitors in the hands 
of yon, their sons." 

" Men of the Twentieth : It was over two years ago, 
and yet it seems but a few daj-s, that you left ns be- 
fore, amid the mingl-d tears and acclanuitions of ten 
thousand of your neighbors and friends, your fathers 
and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children. 
Yo'i reti r led to be crowned with the blessings of 
75,000 people, who waited with ofen arms to receive 



I 



xlii 

you. You went out as men — j'ou returned as heroes. 
And if you shall return again, having accomplished 
the object for which you go forth, and which every 
patriot has at heart, the restoration of the authority 
of the government over every inch of its soil, and of 
consequent peace and prosperity to the country, you 
will be received l)y thirty millions of people who will 
be ready to fall down and worship you as little less 
than gods." 

"Colonel, you return again to the field, Heaven 
grant, that it may be to see no more of the clash of 
arms or of the conflict of battle — but to give the fin- 
ishing stroke to the Rebellion and end the war. And 
the hideous shriek of terror and despair wiiich ema- 
nates from Richmond would seem to indicate that you 
had already struck the monster a blow in his very 
vitals, and that he even now totters to his fall. Your 
friends who fight from the mountain tops of East 
Tennessee, above the clouds, think thev can discern 
the beginning of the end. God grant that it may be 
so ; and that it may be reserved to you to become the 
bearers of food and freedom to those of our brethren 
who are confined in Southren prison-houses — to plant 
the standard of ihe Republic on the turrets and tem- 
ples of the Southern Confederac}', and speedily to re- 
turn to us ag.in, bringing the joyful tidings of the 
Union restored, the supremacy of the laws maintained, 
and the Rebellion crushed and overthrown.' 

"But whatever may be ^our fate in this respect — 
wherever your lot may be cast — whatever may befal 
)'Ou — it will be a consolation for you to know that the 
people of this country are a grateful people. You 
have had ample evidence of this at every step ofj'our 
progress since your return. They hold in constant re- 
membrance those of their kith and kin wiio have gone 
forth to the defense of the country, and are in the 
field .as the protectors of theii' homes and of their fire- 
sides. The Twentieth, One Hundred and Twentieth, 
and the One Hundred and Filty-si.xth, are numbers 
indelibly impressed upon the meinoiy of the people of 
Ulster, and which will hereafter be engraven upon 
the granite of her mountains. To those of you who 
survive the conflict and return to enjoy the fruits of 
your labors in a peaceful and undi.ssevered country, 
we pledge a heartfelt welcome and God's benisi>n. To 
those who shall leave their bones to bleach on a South- 
ern f^oil, we pledge a place upon the monumental mar- 
ble upon an equality with and alongside of your fathers 
of 177G, which every returning year shall brighten 
with the halo of glory which t' e blessings of increas- 
ing millions shall shed upon it." 

Colonel Gapes responed in behalf of the regiment. 



xliii 

and artci- otlici- adilrcsscs and an eloquent prayer, t!ie 
battalion niovdl olF amid a vast throng of j)eople to 
Roiuhuit, and embarked on board the steamer Thoixyis 
Cornel! and proci'eded to New York. 

March -0. — Battalion transported to the OLean 
steamer America and sailed for Washington, D. C, 
proceeding from thence via Orange and Alexandria 
Railroad to Jinuidi/ Station^ Va., where they rejoined 
the balance of the regiment. 

Maij 4. All dt-tachments, except the one at Army 
Headquarters, ordered to report at Brandij Station as 
as soon as the public property at their several stations 
was removed. At different times during the day the 
various detachments reported at headquarters, and 
were placed on ilut} guarding the public property at 
the depot and picketing the country in the neighbor- 
hood. At 11 o'clock p. M., all public property having 
been removed or burned and the station destroyed, 
the pickets were recalled and the regiment took up 
its line of march to rejoin the Army, then one day's 
march ahead. j\Iarched to StepJienshi(rg, a distance 
of 5 miles, and bivouacked. 

Jilai/ 5. — Resumed march at C a. m., crossed the 
Rapidaa at Gold Mine Ford, and reachi d Head- 
quarters, Army of the Potomac, at Wilderness Javern, 
in " The Wilderness,''' at 7 p. m., having marched 18 
miles. 

From this time U7itil May 8th engaged in guarding 
prisoners of war. 

Mai/ 8. — Marched at IJ a. m. in charge of prisoners 
of wai-, passed thr ugh C'haiicellorsi-ille and encamped 
at 7 p. M. near Pincy Branch Church ; distance marched 
20 miles. 

May 9. — Marched about G miles and encamped on 
north side of Fredericksburg and Orange Plank Road. 

May 12, — ]\Iarched to near New Salem Chiirch, on 
Plank Road, (3 miles from last camp. 

May 13. — Marched at G A. M. in charge of 7,000 
prisoner.s of war (Johnson's Division, Ewem.'s Corps) 
through Frederickshurf/, across the Rappahannock 
River to Belle Plain on the Potomac Piiver, being as- 
sisted b}' a detachment of dismounted cavalry and a 
battery of artillery, the whole under the command of 
Colonel Gates of this regiment. Distance marched 
17 miles. 

May 14.^At daybreak Colonel Gates ordered the 
c.ivalry to return, and at 2 p. m., having delivered the 
prisoners to the Veteran Pieserve Corps, the regiment 
and battery took up their line of march, and at sunset, 
Laving reaci ed the Rappahannock River, opposite the 
the City of Fredei-icksburg, bivouacked, having 
marched IG miles, part of the distance through a furi- 
ous storm of wind and rain, which flooded the small 



xliv 

streams, forcing the rcgiiuent to build bridges to allow 
the artillery to cro>s. 

May 15. — ^larciieil at 8 a. m., ciossed the Rappa- 
lianiiock River, passed tlirowgh and encamped in rear 
of Fredericksunrg. Distance marched 2 miles. 

May 21. — Colonel Gates ordered the battery of ar- 
t llery to report to Chief orx\i'tiIleiT. G and I Com- 
panies marched lo Belle Plain in charge of prisoners 
of war. Remainder of regiment marched at 7 p. .m. to 
and through Frcderlckshta-r/, down the Bowling Green 
Road, and bivouacked at 12 p. M. near the Massaponix 
River, having marched 4 miles. 

May 22. — Marched at 5 a. m., following the Bowling 
Green Road, and l;alted for tlie night near Welceu- 
Distance marched, 10 miles. 

Jlay 23. — Companies G and I rejoined the regiment, 
having marclied 44 n»iles. IMarched at 7 a. .m. and en- 
camped at Mllforcl on the Mattapony River, having 
inarched 9 miles. 

May 24. — Marched at 3 p. m., crossing the Mattapo- 
ny River at Mil ford and encamped near Wnght' s 
tavern. Distance marched, 4 miles. 

3Iay 27. — Marched at 7 a. m., rccrossing the Matta- 
pony at Milford and encamped a mile west of the Mat- 
tacocj', having marched 15 miles. 

May 28. — Marched at 7 a. m., and passing through 
Newtown, encamped near the Mat'apony, opposite 
Dunhirlc- Distance marched, 12 miles. 

May 29. — Marched at 7 A. m. and encamped 2 miles 
north of the Pamunkey, opposite Newcastle. Distance 
marched, 10 miles. 

May 30. — Crossed the Pamunkey on a ptmtoou 
bridge, and encamped 2 miles from bridge, on the 
Hanover Court-house road;— A and K Companies 
guarding bridge. 

3Iaii 31. — Moved back one mile nearer bridge. Dur- 
ing this month the regiment was engaged in guarding 
prisoners of war and bridges, protecting wagon trains, 
doing picket duty, acting as rear-guard to the Army, 
and performing the general provost duty of the Aruiy 
of the Potomac. The total number of Rebel prison- 
ers received by the regiment during the month wa.-, 
10.315. 

June 1. — Marched at 11 a. m. towards White House, 
Va., and bivouacked near Old Church. Distance 
marched 9 miles. 

June 2. Marching at 8 a. sj.. and passing Old 
Church, encamped at Parsley' s Corners, near Ander- 
son s Mills, 3 miles east of Coal Harbor and 5 miles 
from last camp. 

June 11. — Marched at 3 p. ji., and bivoueked at 7J 
p. M. at 2\tnstairs Station. Distance marched, 8 
miles. 



xlv 

J\inc 12. — Marcliod at G p. m to near Wliitc House 
and bivDiu'ked. Distanci.' inarched 4 miles. 

June 13. — Mai'clied at G a. m., and taking the Piiver 
Road passed CiDnbryJatnl Ldnding and ShitcrsiiUe 
and bivouacked at G p. M. at Jlopcrs Church-, having 
marched 20 miles. 

June 14. — Marched at 5.J a. m. 3 miles and en- 
camped. 

June 15. — Marched at 3 p m., crossing the Chicka- 
humin}' at G P. M. on a pontoon bridge and bivouacked 
at 12 p. M. Distance marched, 15 miles. 

June IG. — Mircheil at 5 a. m. to the James River, 
opposite Fort Fou:]i(itan., crossrd the i-iver at 3 p. m. 
on a pontoon l)i-idge and bivouacked 1 mile beyond. 

June 17. — iMarched at G a m., passed Merchants 
Hope Church and bivouacked at Knox s Cross Roads 
at 4 p. w. Distance marched, 18 miles. 

June 18. — Marched at 3 p. m. to Citt/ Point and en- 
camped. Distance marched, 3 miles. Colonel Gates 
appointed Miiitar}' Commandant of Cit}- Point. 

Juiie2o. — Lieutenant-Colonel Hardf.nbf.kgh, with a 
detachment, consisting of Adjutant J. M. ScHoox- 
maker. Captain W.M. H. Cunninghaim, Lieutenant 
Smith and Assistant S'lrgeon Wm. II. Tayi.ou and 80 
men. emliarked on steamer Guide to proceed to Point 
Lookout and Fort Delauxire as guard for 700 prison- 
ers ol war. 

June 25. — Regiment pursn nt to orders from L eu- 
tenant-General Grant, embarked on transport and 
proceeded to Wilcox Landing, where it disembaiked 
and marched towards Charles City Court-liouse to re- 
port to Major-General Sheridan. After marching 5 
miles, was ordered to occupy earth-works 2 miles 
nearer the landing, under command of General Getty, 
where remained about 3 hours, when returned to the 
landing and bivouacked. 

June 2G. — By order of General Sheridan embarked 
on steamer and returned to City Point. 

June 29. — Lieutenant-Colonel IIardenberg and de- 
taclimen' r joined thf' regiment 

During this month and July the regiment was en- 
gaged in doing the general provost duty for the 
" Armies operating against Richmond," having charge 
of all trains running on the Cit^" Point and Peters- 
burg Railroad, all mail steamers running to and from 
Bermuda Hundred City Point and points nortli,and 
the charge of the secret servire boat, a detachment of 
the regiment being in that service and a large number 
of the officers on stafFand special duty. 

August 0. — A vessel loaded with ordnance stores 
lying in the harbor at City Point, blew up at 11 a. m., 
causiu": great destruction of property and killing and 
wounding a large number of men. The loss of the 



xlvi 

regiment by tliis accinenr was r> killed .xnd 17 woiimiod. 
From this time till Noveml)er the regiment contin- 
ued doing til- same kind of duty, nothing worthy of 
note occuring, except a march of the regiment a few 
miles and back in attempting to intercept Wade 
Hampton's Cavalry, who had stolen a large herd of 
c .ttle. and the presenting to Brigadier-Gem-ral M. R. 
Patiuck, Provost Marshal-General, 'Armies operating 
agiinst Richmond " (under whose command they had 
been for a long time), by tlie enlisted men of the reg- 
iment (whose term of service was abont to expire) of 
a magnificent sword, belt, sash and spurs 

During the month of November, Colonel T B. 
Gates, who had commanded the regiment from the 
time that Colonel G. W. Pratt whs wounded, was 
musteed out on account of the expiiation of his term 
of service, and Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Hardenbergh 
assumed his place as Colonel of the regiment, and as 
Military'- Commandant of the Post and Defences of 
City Point. 

Address of the officers and men of the Twentieth 
Regiment N. Y. S. M. to Colonel Theodore B.Gates, 
on the occasion of his taking leave of them at the ex- 
piration of his term of service- 

Colonel Gates : The officers and men of your com- 
mand approach you with feelings of deep regret on 
this occasion. We are well aware that it is no unusu- 
al occurence for an officer who has faithfully dime his 
duty to re'ire from his command, leiving behind hiin 
some of his old companions, and almost always l>ear- 
ing with him the regard and esteem, as also the affec- 
tion of hism u, but it has yet to be learned that anj:/ 
officer has ever left behind him in tlie field a body of 
men who more sincerely and deeply feel the loss they 
are sustaining than do tlic officers and men of the 
Twentieth Rciiment N. Y. S M. 

Having been so long together — having fought side 
by side — having endured hardships together — now, 
that you leave us, you carry with you the most pro- 
found esteem — the sincerest regard — and, above all, 
the deep affection of your fellow-soldiers. 

It is, beyimd all question, a matter which concerns 
us deeply; for we feel that, in losing yon we lose one 
whose S3mpathies have ever been with us — whose 
voice has always cheered us — whose ^mile lias ever 
encouraged us, and where we have failed in our duty, 
we know that yoii have never failed in yours. 

We make no allusion to jour career as a gallant 
soldier — that is recorded in the hearts of j-our men, 
and will be read in the annals of this warfare. 
Trifling as may seem to you this small tribute of our 
esteem and affection, be assured that it is dictated by 
warm and loving hearts towards one whose life and 



xlvii 

career among us lias proved liiin to be a true patriot, 
a brave soldier, and an earnest minded, Cliristian gen- 
tleman. 

It ma}' not be inappropriate to say that this tumult 
of warm affection toward you wliicli 3'our proposed 
departure lias aroused among us, is not the spontane- 
ous impulse of the moment, but it is the welling 
forth from the very depths of the fountains of our 
hearts of that feeling which can uo longer be restrain- 
ed within bounds. 

It may perhaps be some slight satisfaction to you 
to know that it is to your example we are indebted 
for much that is good in us. AVe feel it and hnow it. 
It may be a greater satisfaction to 3'ou to be assured 
that that example shall always stand before us as a 
bright and guiding star, the lustre of whose splendor 
shall not be tiimmed by any fault of ours, in an earn- 
est endeavor to sustain the enviable reputation which 
you have conferred on our regiment. 

Now that you are returning to your home and the 
duties of civil life, you bear with you our heartfelt 
and earnest wishes for the future prosperity and hap- 
piness of yourself, Mrs. Gates, and your family, and, 
since the storm of battle for yon. has passed, may the 
future which lies before j'ou be as bright and glorious 
in itr! result, as the past has been distinguished by 
your nobleness and valor. 

That He who has thus far preserved you may keep 
you, with those who are dear to you, safe unto the 
end, is the earnest prayer of the officers and men of 
the Twentieth Regiment New York State Militia. 

During the months of November and December the 
regiment continuefl, the peiformance of the same and 
similar duties as they had done since their arrival at 
City Point, nothing of particular interest occurring 
e.\'cept turning out twice during the night time and 
marching to the defences to repulse threatened at- 
tacks of the enemy. 



xlviii 



ANNUAL REPORT 



MOVEMENTS, SERVICE & OlSCiPLIIE 

OP THE 

Twentieth Regiment New York State Militia, 

COIIJIANDED BY 

COLONEL J. B. HARDENBERGH, 

For the Year ending Decemeek 31, 18G5. 



Ja;ina?7y 1. — Encamped ar Citu Point, V:i., doing 
guard diitv and the provost duty for the " Arinit's op- 
perating against Richmond." 

Febntan/ 15. — Colonel IlAUDENBKr.GH relieved fron) 
command of post of City Point by Brevet Bricadicr- 
Gcneral C. 11. T. Colms. and assumed command of the 
regiment — General Coi.i.is's regiment having been 
ordered to duty there. 

Fehntari/ 10. — Major J. R. Leslie was assigned to 
the temporary command of tlie Eighth Regiment Del 
aware Vohinteeis, lying at City P'oint. 

During the balance of this month and the month of 
JLirch the regiment continued performing the same 
kind of duties hs heretofore mentioned; turning out 
once and marching to repulse the enemy, who had 
broken through our lines at FoH Sfcdmmi, but the 
enemy retiring, the regiment returned to camp. 

April 2. — Received orders abou'' 4 a. m. for the reg- 
inif'nt to march with brigade to occupy the works 
which had rceentl}- been thrown up (m the heiglits 
above City Point, to act as a reserve and support to 
an attack whicli had been ordered by General 
Grant to be made at daylight along the whole 
front of the lines investing Petersburg and 
Riclimond. The regiment marched as oidered and 
reached the position • ssigned it, just south of the 
City Point and Petersburg Raili'oad, at dawn. A 
portion of the enemy's works (including Fort Mahone, 
known more familiarly as "Fort Dam ncttinn^^ ) Inw- 
iug been carried ijy assault by the Ninth Corps, and 
the enemy having made several attempts to recover 
them, which had been repulsed, and it being feared, 
that as the}^ were the key-point of that line, the ene- 
my would again endcaior to retake them at all haz- 
ards, the brigade to which the regiment wns a' tached 



xlix 

was ordered, at 7 ,\. .m., to move fo their support. 
^Ylth the utmost expedition they moved accordingly 
— most of the way at a double quick — to Fort Sedg- 
wick igeneraliy known as " Fort IMV). Upon their 
arrival they were immediately formed in line of battle 
and ordered to move forward and occupy Fort Mahone; 
the enemy still occupied the line to the left of Fort 
Mahone, and were thus enabled to keep up an enfilad- 
ing fire over tlie ground the regiment was compelled 
to pass in moving from Fort Sedgwick to Fort Maiione. 
This lire was very severe during the time the regiment 
was taking up its position, occasioning considerable 
loss to it. Just after the position was attained, the 
eneuiy having concentrated their forces, made a des- 
perate charge, in hopes of recapturing the fort, but were 
i-epulsed with heavy loss to them. They then re- 
treated to their inner line of works, and opened a 
brisk musketry fire, which was kept up until about 
10 p. M. During the night the brigade moved forward 
and captured a lunette work in front of Fort Mahone 
mounting two casemate howitzers, which enfiladed the 
works to the right of the t"ort. Shortly afterwards 
fires were seen at several points along the line, and in 
the direction of Petersburg and Richmond, and several 
heavy explosions were heard, showing conclusively 
that the enemy were evacuating those places. 

April 3. — About ;> a. m. the brigade was ordered 
forward. They advanced rapidly on Petersburg, 
found the enemy's inner line o( works abandoned and 
reached the city just at dayl'ght. The color sergeant 
and color guard proceeded to a conspicuous house near 
by and hoisted the Stars and Stripes over it. This 
was the first United States flag that waved in this 
city limits after tlie passage of the Ordinance of Seces- 
sion by the State of Virginia. The regiment remain- 
ed in Petersbui-g until the aftern<ion, when theymarch- 
ed back to City Point and occupied their old quarters. 

April 7. — The following order vvas promulgated : 

Headquarters, Post, City Point, Va.. i 

April 7, 18G5. \ 

General Orders No. 12. 

In the recent operations which resu ted in the cap- 
ture of Petersburg and Richmond the troops of this 
command have borne a conspicuous part and their 
gallantry is the theme of universal praise. They were 
called upon to repulse a desperate enemy, flushed with 
a temporary success, which threatened to deprive us 
ofgroinid which had already cost our troops dearly; 
and they moved forwaid to the work with such en- 
thusiasm and determination that the enemy was 
driven from his stronghold in confusion. The skirmish- 
ers of this command were tlie first to enter the besieg- 
ed city, and it is believed our colors were the first to 



J 

float over it Wo have lost many valuable officers 
and men wlio cannot Vjc replaced, but it is a comfort 
to those who survive to feel that each of his fallen 
comrades was at his post noblj' doing his duty. 
By command of 

Brevet Brigadier-General C. II. T Collis. 

J. jNI. ScHOOiNMAKER, 

Captain Twentieth N. Y. S M. and A. A. A. G 

April 14. — Pursuant to orders from Lieutenant- 
General Grant, the regiment was relieved from duty 
at the post of City Point, and ordered to report to 
Brigadier-General M. R. Patrick, Provost-Marshal- 
General. On reporting to General Patrick thej- 
were ordered to proceed to Richmond — embarked the 
same day and proceeded to the ci'y of Richmond, 
where disembarked, marched through the city to 
Howard's Grove, where occuoied barracks formerly 
used by the rebels as a ho.spital. 

April 22. — Pursuant to Special Orders No. 1, Head- 
quarters, Militarj- Commander, City of Richmond, this 
regiment and the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Vid- 
unterrs were constituted the provost guard of that 
citv, "under the direction of the Provost-Marshal - 
General." 

From this time until November, the regiment was 
engaged in the performance of provost duty in the 
city of Richmond, and the administering of the gov- 
ernment of the same. To show the extent of their 
duties and how multifarous they were, a list of the 
officers detached for special duty in the month of 
June is hereto annexed : 

Colonel J. B. Hardknbf.rgh, President of a Gener- 
al Court Martial. 

Lieutenant-Colonel J. McEntf.e, Provost .Judge- 
duties same as Mayor of the city. 

Major J. R. Leslie, Provost-Marshal Fourth Dis- 
tric'.'City of Richmond. 

Surgeon R. Loughran, Medical Director, Di.strict 
of Henrico 

Assistant Surgeon C. L. Humphrey, in ciiarge o^ 
Alms House, County of Henrico. 

Captain E. M. Misner, Company A. President of 
the R'-lief Committee. 

Captain Isaac Buswei-i., Company B, member uf 
General Court Martial. 

Brevet JNIajor, Captain Martin Snyder, Company 
C, Commanding Provost Guard, Fou'th District. 

Captain J. JNI. Scmoonmaker, Company D, Aide-de- 
Camp to Bnuet ]\Iaior- General Tirnek and Com- 
maniling Military Prisons, viz.: Libby Prison, Castle 
Thunder, City Jail, State Penitentiary, and Depot of 
Distribution. 

Captain AV. W. Beckwitju, Company E, Aide-de- 



Camp to General Turnrr. nnd Assistant Provost- 
MarshalGeneral District of Henrico, 

Captain N. IIoysradt, Company F, Assistant Pro- 
vost Judge, City of Riclimond. 

Captain M. J. C. Woodwortii, Company G, officer 
Provost Guard, Fourtli District. 

Captain G. B. Mulks, Company H, ofBcer Provost 
Guard. Second District. 

Captain Chas. S. Pakkeii, Company I, officer Pro- 
vost Guard, Fourth District. 

Captain D. I. France, Company K, Commandinjif 
Provost Guard Second District 

Lieutenant John I. Smith, Company A, in Com- 
mand of Alms House. 

Lieutenant Timothy Mukray. Company B, officer 
of tlie Provost Guard, Fourth District. 

Lieutenant Jacob 1L Winfield. Company C, Aide- 
de-Canip to Brevet j\La)or-General Turner, Command- 
in;^; District of Henrico. 

Lieutenant John H. Dunn, Company C, officer 
Provost Guard. Fourth District. 

Lieutenant Jas. Hatch, Company D. Street Com- 
missioner, City of Richmond. 

Lieutenant Lyman Hoysradt, Company F, Com- 
manding Guard at State Penitentiary. 

Lieutenant Isaac Thomas, Company G, officer Pro- 
vost Guard. Fourth Distiict. 

Lieutenant E. B. Townsend, Company G, Aide-de- 
Camp to General Turner,. 

Lieutenant Eugen Subit, Company H, officer 
Provost Guard Second District. 

Lieutenant Eemsen Yauick, Company I, Command- 
ing Provost Guard at Rockett's (steamboat landing). 
Lieutenant S. F. B. Gillespie, Company I, Assist- 
ant to Provost-Marshal-General Department of Vir- 
ginia. 

Lieutenant Richard E Houghtaling, Company 
K, officer Provost Guard, Second District. 

Novemher 27. — Regiment embarked at Rockett's on 
steamers under orders to report at Norfolk to Brevet 
Major-General A. F. A. Torbert, Commanding 
District of Southeastern Virginia, leaving the follow- 
ing named officers at Richmond, performing the duties 
heretofore named, viz.: Lieutenant-Colonel J. McEn- 
tee. Captain N. Hoysradt, Surgeon R. Loxjghran, 
Captain J. M Schoonmaker, Captain E. M. Misner, 
Captain W. W. Beckwith, Lieutenant J. H. Win- 
field, Lieutenant L. Hoysradt and Lieutenant S. F. 
B. Gillespie. During the balance of this month the 
regiment was engaged in performing provost and 
gu^u-d duty at Norfolk, Portsmouth, Navy-Yard and 
banl labor prison. 

December 18. —Pursuant to Special Orders No. 71, 



lii 

Ile'ulquarters District of Soulliea-ternVirginia, Brevet 
Brigadier Geiier:ii J. B. IIauuenbeugh ?-ssuiiie(l com- 
niand of that district, with iieadqiiartcs at Norfolic. 
The duties oT the regiment during tliis month were 
similar to those performed during Novemb r. 



isee. 

Thc regiment continued in tlic performance of tUe 
same duties m.til January 29th, when it was luusttr- 
ed out and returned home after halting at New York 
City to be paid off. 

Previous to the dismissal of tiie regiment they were 
addressed by Colonel IIardknbergii, as follows : 

Officers aiid Soldiers of the Twen ieth : The time 
has at last arrived — which you have so long and so 
anxiously looked forward to — when you are to bb 
honorably discharged the service and permitted to 
return to your homes. We are now about to separate — 
many of us forever. 

What recollections come crowding upon our memo- 
ry of common dangers and sufferings, joys and sor- 
i-ows — of tiic monotonous camp, the weary march and 
the terrible conflict. What silent prayers go up from 
joyful hearts that we are spared to return to our 
friends and homes. 

I could not trust myself, if! could find words to e.\- 
press to you all that I feel on this occasion. I have 
been so long and so intimately connected with the '• Old 
Twentieth," that I feel as if I were about to part wi h 
a dear old friend, whose familiar face I should see no 
more forever. I cannot, however, permit the- occasion 
to pass without returning to you, briefly, my si > cere 
thanks for the uniform respect, cheerful obedience and 
strict attention to duty you have ever evinced in your 
different relations to Uie regiment. AVhatever my 
shortcomings may have been (and I know they have 
not been a few), 1 have the satisfnction to know that 
"I have endeavored to do my duty." 

The name and reputation of the Twentieth have 
ever been most dear to me. and during my connection 
with it I have endeavored to keep constantly in view- 
its interest and h:mor. 

I exceedingly regret that the regiment could not 
liavt- gone home as an i)rg inization and been finally 
dischai-ged at its original rendezvous. There is noth- 
ing I more greatly desired, or that would have afford- 
ed" me greater pleasure, and I am sure this is the feel- 
ing of a very large majority of the regiment. But on 
the account of the want of proper acconunodations 
there for the men at this season, during the time 
they would necessarily have to be detained before 



liii 

receiving their final pr\y and rliscliari^cs, tlic matter 
was deemed unadvisablo and impracticable. It was 
supposed that at this place, which had been used so 
long as one of the regularly established depots for re- 
crsiits and regiments to be mustered out, we would 
find everything which the season and climate render- 
ed necessary, under the circumstances, for your health 
and comfort. But 1 i egret to say that we have been 
most sadly disappointed. If 1 could have forseen 
the shameful and disgraceful state of things here, I 
certainly would have used every effort in my power to 
have had the regiment ordered to Kingston, for how- 
ever we mii>lit have fared there, we certainly could 
not have fared worse that we have here. 

I regret the more that we could not have gone 
home as a regiment, because I know it would have 
afforded the friends of the regiment great pleasure to 
have extended to it a nu)st cordial welcome. The}' 
have had in course of preparation for some time a 
new color, which it was intended to have presented 
to the regiment upon its arrival in New York. Colo- 
nel Gates came down for that purpose last Tuesday, 
but upon his arrival here he found that it was not 
finished, and so the presentation had to be deferred 
to some future time It is now proposed by the citi- 
zens of Kingston, as a testinumial of the honor and 
esteem with which they have ever regarded the ' Old 
Twentieth," to give an entertainment to the members 
of the regiment on the 22d of February next, and at 
tliat time to present the color, aud I am requested to 
give a cordial invitation to every member of the regi- 
ment to be present on that occasion. I hope that ail 
who can possibly do so will be present in their proper 
uniform. 

One word more and lam done. You are now about 
to quit the military service and retm-n once more to 
the quiet walks of civil life . I'ou belong to a regiment 
which has achieved ananie and reputation which will go 
down through all coining time and which you and those 
who may come after you will hereafter contemplate 
with pride and satisfaction. As you have been good 
and faithful soldiers, so I know you will be good and 
exemplary citizens, ever remembering that your du- 
ties as citizens are no less important to your country 
than those as soldiers. 

" Peace hath her victories, 
No less renowned than war." 

I hope you may long live to enjoy, through uninter- 
rupted peace and prospeiity, the rewards you have so 
richlv earned, and that the choicest blessings of 
Heaven may ever abide with you and yours. 

And now, comrades, it only remains for me to pro- 
nounce the parting word — Farewell. 



liv 



Fehriiari/ 22. — Pursuant to previous notice the reg- 
iment assembled to receive the Hag wliicli bad been 
obtained for tbem l>y the citizens of Kingston ; the 
following extract from one of the village newspapers 
na' rates tha circumstances incident thereto: 

"On the 22d inst. th ' ceremonies attendant upon 
tlie presentation of a regimental Hag to the Twentieth 
N. Y. S. M. took place at tlie armory in this village. 
A large number of citizens and soldiers were present. 
Major VON Bkck of Rondout, was called to the chair. 
T^iat veteran vocalist, Mr. Bkrnard Covkrt, was 
then introduced and sang an appropriate patriotic 
song. The presentation speech was made by II. H. 
REVNOLns, Esq.. of this village, and the response by 
Colonel T. B. Gates. Wc have no room for their 
speeches, and can only say of them that they were 
in the highest degree appropriate and eloquent. 

"The color 's of blue silk, with the State arms beau- 
tifully embroidered in the centre. Over these, and 
likewise embroidered, are the words, ' Ulster Guard,' 
Twentieth N. Y. S. M., and worked upon the colors 
indifferent positions is the following regimental re- 
cord: 'Washington, April, 1861; Beverly Ford, 
August 21, 1862; AVarrenton Springs, August 27, 
1862; Gainesville, August 28, 1862; Groveton, 
AuLMist 29, 1862 ; Second Bull Run, August 
SO,"' 1862; Chantilly, September 1, 1862; South 
Mountain, September 14, 1862 ; Antietam, Sep- 
tember 17, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, December 12 to 
15, 1862 ; Gettysburg, Jul v 1 to 4. 1863 ; Petersburg, 
April 1 to 3, 18G5; Richmond, April, 1865.' 

" After the services were concluded, the soldiers 
were invited to the upper room of the armory, where 
a most bounteous collation Avas spread, and the tables 
were attended by fair women who gave our brave boys 
a cordial welcome and a lu.vuriant repast. The entire 
affair was a most gratifying success. 

" On the evening of the same d iy the officers of the 
regiment held a meeting at Brown's Hotel in the vil- 
lage of Kingston, at which it was unanimously resolv- 
ed that the regiment should be immediately reorgan- 
ized under the National Guard law of this State, and 
designating (on motion of Colonel IIardenbergh) 
as their choice for commandant. Colonel T. B. Gates. 
It was further resolved that Colonel J. B IIakden- 
BERGii, Major W. A. Van Rensselaer, Captain J. 
M. ScHOONMAKER and Lieutenant Geo. North, Jr., 
be appointed a comn\ittee to assist Colonel Gates in 
reorganizing the regiment. 

•' Since that time the work of reorganization has been 
going on and is now nearly finished, and it is expected 
that next August the regiment will resume its annual 
encampments." 






Alexandra, La., 128th N. Y. S. V. 46 

American (Northern). Characteristic Qualities, 11. 

American Union Soldiers, Honors, due to. 56-'8. 

Antietam, 33. 

.Appendix: Official Records, 20th N. Y. S. M., or 
80th N. Y. v., i.— liT. 

Arctic and Antarctic Explorations, 8. 

AsToR, Brevet Brig. -Gen. John Jacob, Jr., son of 
Wm. B. Astor, Esq,. Vol. Aide-de-Oamp to Maj.-Gen. 
George B. McOlei.lan, may be classed, in some 
degree, as a Representative of Red Hook. 

AucHMUTV, Brev. Lt.-Col. (U. S. V.) Richard Ttl- 
DEN, 97, 100, 102-'3. 

Bacon, Reverend Thomas Scott, 30. 

Bailey, Brig. -Gen. James, Red River Dam, 46. 

Baltimore, bridled and bitted by Butler, 17-18. 

Barbarous Treatment of Union prisoners by the 
Rebels in the South West, 26-'9. 

Barker, Capt. Augustus, 14t2d, 71-'2. 118-122. 

Barnard, Maj.-Gen. U. S. A., Opinion of South Car- 
olina, 11. 

Battle Roll of the 20th N. Y. S. M , or 80th N.Y. V., 
(1861-'3)32t. 

Baton Rouge: 128th N. Y. V., 42-'3. 

Bell presented by Brevet Maj.-Gen. J. Watts dk 
Peyster, S. N. Y., to Trinity Church, Episcopal, 
Natchitoches, La., 30. 
Bounty .Jumpers, 57. 

Brown — John, 3 4. 

Bdrgoyne, 6. 

Bush — Asst. Surgeon William T., 61st N. Y. V., 
16,* 60-'l. 

Butler— Major-General Benjamin F., 17. 

C 

Contingent or Quota furnished by Town of Red 
Hook, 1-2, 13-17, 21-'2, 21+. 

Contingent or Quota lurnished by Town of Red 
Hook— how distributed, 14-16, 29-30, 52-'3. 

Clark — Rev. Jas. Starr, Prest. ; Cooke — Giles, 
Secretary Soldiers' Monument Association. Resolu- 
tion of Thanks to " Orator of the Day." 3d Page 
Cover. 



Ivi 

CowLES— Col. David S , 35, 37, 38, 39. 

Cruger— Brevet Ll.-Col. (N. Y. V.) S. Van Rens- 
selaer, IGf, 25-'G. 

Cane River Heights, 128th N. Y. V., 45. 

Cedar Creeic, 128tb N. Y. V., 50. 

Chamberlain — Lt. Wareen W., 14*, 17, 62, 67-'8. 

Chancellor sville, in many aspects, the Battle of the 
War, 33-'4. 

Cocborn Mortars in the hands of Red Hook " Boys 
in Blue," 52. 

Crawford — Brevet Maj.-Gen. S. W., U. S. A., 25, 
94-102. 

T> 

Decker— John, 20th N. Y. S. M., 68-'9. 

DE Peyster — ^Brevet Capt. (N. Y. V.) Feedekic, 
Jr., 17*, 18, 19, 20-' 1,33. 

DE Peyster — Brevet Lt.-Col. (N. Y. V.) J. Watts, 
Jr., 14t, 14t, 23-'4 52. 

DE Peyster — Johnston Livingston, Brevet Lt.- 
Col. U S. and N. Y. Vols., 14* 2d, 11 16||, 18, 18t, .fee. 

DE Peyster — Richard Varick, eldest son of F. 
Augustus de Peyster, who commanded the Clipper, 
sent out with dispatches to the U. S. ^Ministers at 
Gottenburg in 1814, and, at the close of a life of long 
and honorable service, is now Superintendent of the 
Sailors' Snug Harbor on Staten Island. In the ad- 
vance to Washington, Williamston, Hamilton, &c., N. 
C, in November, 1862, young de Peyster, acting 
strictly as a Vuluntcer private in Col. Lee's 44th Mass. 
Vols., Stephenson's 3d Brig., behaved so admirably 
that he is never spoken of, in print or conversation, 
vcithout the highest praise. One of his Regiment, 
writing home from Newbern, N. C, Nov. 13th, 1862 
(See Boston Evening Transcript, Saturday, Nov. 
22d, 1862J, niention.s him as follows : 

" But two of our men were wounded in actual 
fight [the skirmisli at Tranter's (?), Creek between 
Washington, Nov. 3d, and a point ten miles from 
Tarboro, Nov. 6th] ; but the most unfortunate thing 
was the wounding of de Peyster, who was searching 
for the same wounded man (whom the Captain was 
trying to rescue out of the creek, since he had been 
shot in the water). You will remember him (dk 
Peyster) as one of whom 1 spoke, never grumbling, 
always ready, and in every way a model soldier. He 
was wounded through both parts of the arm, shatter- 
ing both bones. His arm (the left) was amputated 
just above the elbow. He is cheerful now, but will 
probably feel the loss of his arm, more and more, day 
by day." 

He did suffer, for, in the clumsy operation, the nerves 
were taken up with the arteries, and he has continued 
ever since to suffer, often agony. He was bent over 



Ivii 

in such a p)osition when wounded that the sumo bul- 
let which shattered his arm, first passed, lengthwise, 
diagonally, through the tleshy part of the left thigh, 
entering above the knee. The amputation was near 
the shoulder. 

Headi-y in his " Massachusetts in the Rebellion," 
at page 41 G, says : 

"This regiment presents, as do so many others, 
noteworthy instances of the patriotic devotion of 
Massachusetts men." (This is a mistake, de Peyster 
was a New Yorker by birth, the seventh generation 
born in that city. His enlistment in Boston was the 
result of accident or rather grew out of his rejection 
elsewhere on account of his extreme short-sighted- 
ness.) '' Richard V. de Peyster gave up a good salary 
and came from New York to Boston to enlist in the 
Forty -fourth Regiment He was rejected by the 
surgeon for ne<ir-sightedness, as he had been before 
by the surgt-on of (he Twenty-fourth Massachusetts; 
liut, not daunted by this rejection, he niade a bargain 
with Capt. Smith, of Compan}- H, to go as volunteer 
private, without tounty, without pay, even paying 
all his personal expenses. In selecting a few of the 
most trustworthy men to act as stretcher-bearers, 
Col. Lee included de Peyster ; and, in the discharge 
of his duty, at the fight near Williamston, he lost his 
arm " 

Deserters, 57. 

Disunion Sent inients^Uow the Southern mind be- 
came permeated with, o-'4, 11,75-90. 
E 

Etten— Van- John, 128th N. Y. V., 43, 61-'2. 

F 

Farragut — Admiral — 23. 

Fisher — Asst. Surgeon Henry N., 60-'1. 

Fisher's Hill— 128lh N. Y. V., at, 49. '' 

Flag (National) of the 29th N. Y. V., presented by 
Mrs. Henry Livingston Rogers, Note 3, 91. 

Flag (State) of the 29th N. Y. V., presented by 
Miss Estelle E. de Peyster, 15§, 20. 

Flag of the 20th N. Y. S. M.— Glorious Record 
of. 81. 

Forlorn Hope— 128th N. Y. V.— at Port Hudson, 
40-']. 

Force of Armies, in the Field, and Losses, North 
and South, in Suppressing the "Slaveholders' Renel- 
lion." 12, 13. 

Funk— Corporal Peter W.. 150th N. Y. V., 25,* 

109. no. &c. 

Gates — Brev. Brig.-Gen. Theodore B., Colonel 
20th N. Y. S. M., 31, 94, i.— liv. 
Gettysburg, 34-35, 94-103. 



13S 

RosKCKANS — Major-Gen. (U. S. A.), 33, 55. 

Roster or Roll of Volunteers before and in August, 
1861, for 20th N. Y. S. M., 92-94. 

Roster or Roll of Volunteers in August, 1862, for 
128th N. Y. v., 103-105. 

Saratoga— 1177, 6 

Sherman — Major-Gen. W. T., 51. 

Soldiers — The Rewards i>f Faithful and Unfaithful 
Soldiers contrasted, 54-''G. 

State Rights were forever defunct and disposed of — 
The Display of the first Real American Flag over 
Richmond, April 3, 1865, decisive proof that — 18-'9. 

Stars AND Stkipes — ("Old Glory'") the National 
Ensign — History of, 4-11. 

Stars and Stripes over Richmond, 18-'9. 

Stocking — Marcellus, 20th N. Y S. M., 55. 

Surgeons — Honor due to, 60-'l. 
T 

TiLLOTTSON — Charles H.. U. S. Navy, 16§, 22-3. 
TJ—V 

Union — A practical and united — at Port HuJson, 
41-'2. 

Uprising of the North, 11-13. 

Valedictory — Explanatory, jfcc, 122. 
W 

Wainwright — Brev. Brig.-Gen. Charles S., 14+, 
22 52 

Wainwright— Col. William P., 16 1i, 20, 22. 

Washington — General George, 7. 

Washington saved, 128tli N. Y. A'., 47-48. 

War — Revolutionary, 5-7, 8. 

War of 1812, 7-8. 

War — Mexican, 8. 

War wit! I the Barbary States, 8. 9. 

War — French — Naval, 8. 

War and Peace, mutually, handmaids, 53-''4. 

Warren — Major-General (Revolutionary), 5. 

Warringer— RuFus, N. Y. S. M., 71. 

Watts — George. U. S. Dragoons, saved General 
Scott's life l)efore Chippewa, 1814, 7. 

WiiiTMARSii — Sergeant Wm. R., 27, 29. 

Winchester— nSth N. Y.^V., 48-'9. 

WiNSLow and Semmes — Kearsarge und Alabama 10. 

Wter or Dwyer— Peter—I 28th N. Y. V.. 71. 
-Y 

Yellow Bayou, La., Prince Polignac licked, 128th 
N. Y. v., 47. 

Yorktown — 1781 contrasted with 1862, 7. 



Cai.lendar House, Tivom, Nov. 22, 186G. 
Brevet Major- General ( .S. N.Y.)^. Watts de Peyster, 

TivoU: 

My Dear General: 

At a Meeting of the Committee appointed at tbe 
last fleeting of the Subscribers to the •' Soldiers Mon- 
ument Association "' to make the arrangements for 
the inauguration of the munuinent erected to the 
memory of the soldiers, who fell in their country's 
cause, from this neighborhood — held this day at the 
village of Madalin, it was unanimously Resolved that 
General J. Watts dk Peyster be requested to deliver 
the Address upon the occasion. 

T[ \ras further Resolved that the 28th day of No- 
vember (Wednesday), at U p. m., Fellers Hall, Mad- 
alin, be fixed as the time and place for the delivery 
of the same. 

I am requested in behdf of the committee and the 
subscribers to inform you of their action, and hope 
vou wi I accept th<» invitation to deliver the Address 
on this occasion, we all feeling that the subject could 
not be entrusted to any one of our community who 
can do it the justice that you can. It will, we are 
aware, impose upon you s(ime labor, but this is a fit- 
ting cause for your labors You were foremost in the 
efforts of all true lovers of their country in urging 
and pointing out the necessity of the people, one and 
all, to shoulder the musUet" and go forth at their 
"country's call." AVe ask you now to deliver the 
nd<lross in honoi' of the soldiers of this neighborhood 
who fell. 

Trusting vou will not decline this honor, I remain, 
yours trniv. Johnston Livingston, 

Chairman of the Inauguration Committee. 



After the delivery of the Address of General J. 
Watts de Peyster at the Inauguration of the Soldiers' 
Moniiiiient in Madalin, Duchess Co., N. Y., the fol- 
lowing resolutions were unanimously adopted: 

Besolra}, That the thanks of this meeting be ex- 
tended to General de Peystkh for the interesting 
and eloquent Address to which we have just listened. 

ResoJred. That General de Pkystek be requested to 
furnish a copy of his Address for publication. 

Jas. Starr Clark, Pres. 

Giles Cooke, Secy, 

Madalin 28th November. 1866. 




^o^V' 



